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57th Congress, ) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. J Documk.nt 
1st Session. ) \ No. 671. 

^"7 3 



SURVEYS AND EXAMINATION OF UINTA INDIAN RESER- 
VATION. 



LET TEE 



THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR, 

TRANSMITTING, 

IN RESPONSE TO AN INaUIRY BY THE HOUSE, A REPORT OF SUR- 
VEYS AND EXAMINATION OF UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 



June 19, 1902, — Eeferred to the Committee on Indian Affairs and ordered to be 

printed. 



Department of the Interior, 

Washington , Jime 18, 190^. 
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a resolution of 
the House of Representatives, dated June 12, 1902, directing the 
Secretary of the Interior to transmit to the House the results of the 
recent surveys and examinations of the agricultural lands and water 
resources of the Uinta Indian Reservation in Utah. 

In response to said resolution, I have the honor to transmit herewith 
a detailed report on the subject by Mr. Cyrus C. Babb, of the United 
States Geological Survey, together with a letter from Mr. F. H. 
Newell, chief hydrographer, dated April 16, 1902, and a report from 
the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dated the 12th instant. 
Very respectfully, 

E. A. Hitchcock, Secretary. 
The Speaker of the House of Representatives. 



Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C, April '21, 1902. 

Sir: I have the nonor to transmit herewith a report from Mr. F. H. 

Newell, h^^drographerin charge of hydrographic surveys, forwarding 

a detailed report by Mr. Cyrus C. Babb upon the Uinta Indian 

Reservation. 

This report is accompanied by a map, partly colored in accordance 



2 UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 

with tho description oivoii in the manuscript by Mr. Babb; and also 
by two base maps, additional copies of w^hich can be had if desired. 
Yours, with respect, 

CiiAS. D. Walcott, Director. 

The Skcuetauv of tuk In'teriok, 

Washington, I). C. 



Departmext of the Interior, 

Office of Indian Affairs. 

Washington, June 12, 1002. 

Sir: On April 24, 1902, the Acting Secretary of the Interior referred 
to this office, for its information and consideration, a letter from the 
Director of the United States Geological Survey, transmitting- a report 
from Mr. F. H. Newell, hydrographer in charge of hydrographic sur- 
ve^^s, forwarding a detailed report b}' Mr. Cyrus C. Babb upon 
matters of irrigation within the Uinta Reservation. The report of 
Mr. Babb is accompanied b}^ a map parth^ colored in accordance with 
the description given in the manuscript by him, and also by two base 
maps. 

The hydrographer states that this work was undertaken in accord- 
ance with the instructions from the Department dated June 14, 1899, 
to determine the extent of agricultural lands within the said reserva- 
tion, as well as the quantity of water in each of the several streams, 
and to ascertain whether the water supply is more than sufficient for 
the irrigation of the agricultural lantls. 

In this connection it may be proper to refer to the irrigating clause 
contained in the Indian appropriation act approved jNIarch 1, 1SS9 (30 
Stat., 941), which authorizes the Secretary of the Interior in his discre- 
tion to grant rights of way for the construction and maintenance of 
dams, ditches, and canals on or through the Uinta Indian Reservation in 
Utah for the purpose of diverting the waters of the streams in said 
reservation for useful purposes, with the proviso, however, that all 
such grants shall be subject at all times to the paramount rights of the 
Indians on said reservation to so much of said waters as ma}' have been 
appropriated or may hereafter be appropriated or needed by them for 
agricultural and domestic purposes. It is further provided that the Sec- 
retary shall prescribe such rules and regulations as he may deem nec- 
essary to secure to the Indians the quantity of water needed for their 
present and prospective wants, and to otherwise protect the rights and 
interests of the Indians and the Indian service. 

The hydrographer also states that the area of the said reservation is 
arid; that the decision of what may be considered as agricultural land 
rests upon the questions of water supply; that the determination of the 
water supply is not a simple matter, since the quantity varies from month 
to month in different streams and fluctuates from year to year; that meas- 
urements have been carried on through two years, of which 1900 was 
the drier, and therefore the figures for water supply have been reduced 
from those taken for that year; that from a study of adjoining basins it 
is believed that the water supply was [then] especially low: that it was 
found to be not sufficient to know merely the character of the land and 
the water supply, but that it was also necessary to ascertain the elevation 



UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 6 

of the land with respect to the suppl}-; that for this purpose the first 
step was to make a topographic map of the region under consideration 
showing the altitude of the land and of the water; that the next step 
after knowing the character of the land, the amount of water, and the 
relative elevation was to determine in a general way the feasibilit}' of 
bringing the water to such of the good land as lies at an elevation low 
enough to be reached b}' gravity canals; that to ascertain this fact it 
was necessary to run out a number of canal lines and make an estimate 
of the cost of construction; that at many localities where the conditions 
were apparently favorable for agriculture the cost of construction of 
canals along sidehills or across deep depressions would in the aggre- 
gate amount to a sum so large that the projects could not be considered 
as feasible: that for such localities, although there was good land and 
plent}^ of water, ^^et the possibility of utilizing the land was destroyed 
by the expense of construction. 

It became necessary to make certain arbitrary assumptions as to the 
duty of water according to the h3^drographic report; that is to sa}', as 
to the amount of flowing water needed to irrigate a given area. For 
this purpose Mr. Babb set a somewhat liberal limit, taking the July 
flow of the streams without storage and allowing 100 acres of irriga- 
ble land for every cubic foot per second flowing in the rivers during 
this month. It is stated in the report of the hydrographer that this 
amount of water flowing for an irrigation season of one hundred days 
will cover 100 acres to a depth of fully 2 feet; that in the earl}- devel- 
opment of the country more water will probablj^ be needed, but at 
that time, as the irrigated acreage will be small, more water will be 
available. 

Making these assumptions he reached the conclusion that there is 
enough water in the rivers on the reservation to supply in 3'ears of 
low water, 80,500 acres without recourse to storage, and stated that 
there is sufficient land to utilize all of the available water; that not 
all of this land, however, will be needed hj the Indians if all of them 
are settled, allotting 40 acres to each individual, or to a family of 5 
persons 200 acres. 

He refers to the provision of the law that all grants to the water 
shall be subject to the rights of the Indians and states that it is highly 
important that the grants of water be of such character that the rights 
of the Indians can be at all times easily enforced; that is to say, if 
canals belonging to Indians and white persons both take water from 
the same stream the experience of the past has shown that while the 
rights of the Indians may be theoretically superior, practical enforce- 
ment through white officials is extremely difificult. For this and other 
reasons he states that it is important to separate as widely as possible 
the interests which mav conflict. He is of the opinion that a separa- 
tion of the waters of the reservation can probabh" be most effectively 
made by allotting the waters of certain streams to the Indians and 
allowing the whites to use the other streams; that if this proposition 
is tenable, it is suggested that the waters of Whiterocks River be 
granted or disposed of and that the waters of the other streams be held 
for the irrigation of the Indian lands. He notes in this connection 
that the assumptions made in Mr. Babb's report as to agricultural lands 
are dependent upon the construction of canals; that is, certain areas 
have been noted as agricultural on the assumption that ditches would 
be built to bring water to the lands. He regards these agricultural 



4 UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 

areas as practically valueless, and states that they can not be allotted 
to the Indians for their support until the irrif^ation works are built. 

Mr. Bubh's report relates almost entirely to the eastern or inhabited 
end of the reservation where water is in excess of the needs of the 
agricultural lands. In the extreme northwestern part of the reserva- 
tion, among- tlie high mountains, are known to be several small ditches 
built, the hydroorapher states, by the whites diverting Avater from the 
headwaters of the Duchesne and its tributaries and carrying small 
portions over the divide westerly to the headwaters of the streams 
flowing nito Utah Lake and Great Salt Lake. Such diversion, he thinks, 
is probably without authority from the Indian agent or the Department, 
but he states that at the present time it is not injurious to any rights 
of the Indians; that the enlargement or further construction of such 
ditches might in the future result injuriously to agricultural develop- 
ment along Duchesne River, but this question is now too problematical 
to be seriously considered. 

Mr. BaT)b describes in his report the three ditches above referred to 
diverting the water from the I'eservation as follows: Strawberry ditch, 
Willow Creek ditch, and Hobble Creek ditch. 

The first is 3 miles long, with an estimated capacity of 200 miners' 
inches. It cost about $12,000 and is now in fairly good condition. 

The second is 7 miles long and cost less than $15,000. It carries 
about 60 miners' inches and has a tunnel 1,000 feet long. It is con- 
siderably out of repair at the present time, and will cost about 13,000 
to put it in good condition. 

The third, a good cheap ditch now in good repair, is about 2 miles 
in length and has an estimated capacity of 50 miners' inches. 

As these ditches were constructed by white settlers for diversion of 
the waters from the reservation without the consent or authority of 
the Indian agent or this Department, this office has by letter of the 
11th instant called upon the United States Indian agent of the Uinta 
and Ouray Agency for a full report in regard thereto and for sugges- 
tions as to what action should be taken. Upon receipt of the informa- 
tion called for it will be laid before the Department for consideration 
and such action as may be deemed proper. 

In conclusion, the hydrographer recommends that, after the irrigation 
system for the Indians has been perfected to the extent necessary to 
cover the agricultural lands described in Mr. Babb's report, the waters 
of Whiterocks River be granted or disposed of as not being needed 
by the Indians. At present, however, he states that some of the waters 
of this river are used by the Indian ditches; that considerable con- 
struction will be required to completely separate the source of water 
for the Indian ditches from that for white men's ditches. 

At present and for many years in the future the supply of water on 
the reservation, it is stated, is enormously in excess of the uses by the 
Indians; but looking to the future needs of the lands which may be 
allotted to the Indians, there is not, in the opinion of the hydrographer, 
much water which can be appropriated without injury to these pros- 
pective wants. 

I have caused to be read very carefully the report of Mr. Babb upon 
this matter (consisting of 112 pages), also the letter of the hydrog- 
rapher, Mr. Newell, and have reached the conclusion that no action 
should be taken })v the Department looking to the granting of rights 
of way for the construction and maintenance of dams, ditches, and 



UINTA INDIAN EESERVATION. 5 

canals on or through the Uinta Indian Reservation of Utah, for the 
purpose of diverting and appropriating the waters of the streams in 
said reservation for useful purposes by the whites, until the irrigation 
system for the Indians has l^een perfected to the extent necessar}" to 
cover the agricultural lands described in Mr. Babb's report, or until 
allotments shall have been made to all the Indians entitled thereto and 
the same placed under a perfect sj'stem of irrigation. Special atten- 
tion is invited to the concluding statement made by Mr. Newell, the 
hydrographer, in his said letter, as follows: 

Looking to the future needs of the lands which may be allotted to the Indians, 
there is not much water which can be appropriated without injury to these prospec- 
tive wants. 

In this connection it may be proper to invite j'our attention to the 
clause contained in the Indian appropriation act approved May 27, 
1902 {Public No. 125, pp. 21 and 22). By this clause the Secretary 
of the Interior, with the consent of the majority of the adult male 
Indians of the Uinta and White River tribes of Ute Indians to be 
ascertained as soon as practicable by an inspector, shall cause to be 
allotted to each head of a famih' 80 acres of agricultural land which 
can be irrigated, and 40 acres of such land to each member of said 
tribes, said allotments to be made prior to October 1, 1903, on which 
date all the unallotted lands within the said reservation shall be restored 
to the public domain. 

The clause last mentioned provides as to the disposition of the lands 
so restored to the public domain and as to mining claims, etc. 

The proceeds of the sale of the lands so restored to the public domain 
shall be applied, tirst, to the reimbursement to the United States for 
any moneys advanced to the Indians to carry into effect the provisions 
mentioned, and the remainder, under the direction of the Secretary, 
shall be used for the benefit of said Indians. The sum of $70,064.1:8 is 
ay3propriated, out of any moneys in the Treasmy not otherwise appro- 
priated, to be paid to the Uinta and White River tribes of Ute Indians, 
under the direction of the Secretary, whenever a majority of the adult 
male Indians shall have consented to the allotment of lands and the 
restoration of the unallotted lands within the gaid reservation as pro- 
vided in said act. 

If an effort is to be made to allot these lands to the Indians prior to 
October 1, 1903. and obtain their consent thereto, and also to the resto- 
ration of the unallotted lands within the said reservation as provided, 
it will be necessar}' to instruct an inspector as soon after July 1, 
next, as practicable, to take this matter up. It is not believed by this 
office that the Indians will give their consent to the legislation enacted. 
The compensation for their unallotted lands appears to be inadequate. 
The lands suitable for allotment have not been brought under a system 
of irrigation. Should the unallotted lands be restored to the public 
domain Ijefore the proposed allotments are covered by irrigation 
ditches and canals, the whites would appropriate the water to their 
uses and thus deprive the Indians of what righth' and justh^ belongs 
to them. 

It appears that these allotments can not be made without the con- 
sent of the majority of the adult male Indians of the Uinta and White 
River tribes of tJte Indians, ascertained by an inspector. The 
quantity of land to be allotted is to each head of a family 80 acres of 
their agricultural laud which can be irrioated and 40 acres of such 



C UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 

land to each other nieniber of such tribe. Whenever a majority of the 
adult male Indians of said tribes consent to the allotments and the 
restoration of the unallotted lands to the public domain, the sum of 
^7<i.(i«,i4.48 shall be })aid to them under the direction of the Secretary:. 

After reimbursing- the United States for any moneys advanced to 
the Indians to carry into effect the provisions of this act from the pro- 
ceeds of the sale of the lands restored to the public dom^dn, the 
remainder shall be used for the benefit of the Indians, under the direction 
of the Secretary of the Interior. What sum can be so used is'^'hardly 
susceptible of estimation because it can not-fbe determined, even by 
approximation, the quantity of land which will, be homesteac^'d upon 
the restoration of the same to the public domain at the rate bf $1.25 
per acre. 

Neither the Indians nor this Department wQuld know this sum until 
all of such lands had been disposed of, or whether there would be a 
remainder after reimbursing the United States for any moneys 
advanced to the Indians for carrj'ing into effect the provisions of the 
act. The office does not see, therefore, any compensation for these 
lands except the sum last named, $70,064.48. Besides the clause last 
mentioned contains provisions respecting mining claims and leases 
which will perhaps be objectionable to the Indians. The question of 
the advisability of sending an inspector to the said reservation for the 
purpose of obtaining the consent of the Indians to the matters and things 
referred to in said clause, is submitted for 3'our consideration and final 
determination. 

A copy of this report is inclosed. 1 also return herewith the letter 
of the Director of the United States Geological Survey and inclosures 
therein referred to. 

Verv respectfully, j^our obedient servant, 

A. C. TONNER, 

Acting Co I III 1 1 Iss loner. 
The Secretary of the Interior. 



'DfePARTMENT-eil.THE INTERIOR, 

United .^X4TES Geological Survey, 

Washmgton, D. (?., April 16, 1902. 

Sir: I have the honor to transmit* herewith a report by Mr. Cyrus 
C. Babb upon the Uinta Indian RfiSisrvation. 

This work was undertaken in accordance with instructions from the 
Department dated June 14, 1899, to determine the extent of agricul- 
tural lands of this reservation, as well as the quantity of water in each 
of the several streams, and to ascertain whether the water supply is 
more than sufficient for the irrigation of the agricultural lands. 

The area of the Indian reservation is 3,186 square miles, or about 
two-thirds of that of the State of Connecticut. Not all of this, how- 
ever, is agricultural land, and about one-half of the reservation only 
was considered, this having an approximate extent from north to south 
of 35 miles and from east to west of 50 miles. This area is arid, and 
the decision as to what may be considered agricultural land rests upon 
questions of water supply. 

The determination of the water supply is not a simple matter, since 
the quantity varies from month to month in different streams, and 



UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 7 

fluctuates from 3^ear to year. Measurements have been carried on 
through two years, of which 1900 was the drier, and therefore the 
figures for water supply have been reduced from those taken for that 
year. From a study of adjoining basins it is believed that in 1900 the 
water supply was especially low. 

It was found to be not sufficient to know merely the character of the 
land and the water supply, but it was also necessary to ascertain the 
elevation of the land with respect to the supply. For this purpose 
the first step was to make a topographic map of the region under con- 
sideration, showing the altitude of the land and of the water. 

The next step after knowing the character of the land, the amount 
of water, and the relative elevation, has been to determine in a gen- 
eral way the feasibility of bringing the water to such of the good 
land as lies at an elevation low enough to be reached by gravity canals. 
To ascertain this fact it has been necessary to run out a number of 
canal lines and make an estimate of the cost of construction. Many 
localities have been found where the conditions were apparently favor- 
able for agriculture, but the cost of construction of canals along side- 
hills or across deep depressions has, in the aggregate, amounted to a 
sum so large that the projects could not be considered as feasible. 
Thus for such localities, although there was good land and plenty of 
water, yet the possibility of utilizing the land was destroyed by the 
expense of construction. 

It has further been necessary to make certain arbitrary assumptions 
as to the duty of water; that is to say, as to the amount of flowing 
water needed to irrigate a given area. For this purpose Mr. Babb 
has set a somewhat liberal limit, taking the Jul}" flow of the streams 
without storage, and allowing 100 acres of irrigable land for every 
cubic foot per second flowing in the rivers during this month. This 
amount of water flowing for an irrigation season of one hundred da3"s 
will cover 100 acres to a depth of nearh' 2 feet. In the early develop- 
ment of the country more water will probably be needed, but at that 
time, the irrigated acreage being small, more water will be available. 

By making these assumptions the conclusion has been reached that 
there is enough water in the rivers on the reservation to supply in 
years of low water 80,500 acres without recourse to storage. There is 
sufficient land to utilize all of the available water, but not all of this 
land will be needed by the Indians if all of them are settled, allotting 
40 acres to each individual, or for a famil}^ of five persons 200 arces. 

The law provides that all grants to the water shall be subject to the 
rights of the Indians, but it is highly important that the grants to 
water be of such character that the rights of the Indians can be at all 
times easily enforced. That is to say, if canals belonging to Indians 
and white persons both take water from the same stream, the experi- 
ence of the past has shown that, while the rights of the Indians may be 
theoretically superior, practical enforcement through white officials 
is extremely difficult. For this and other reasons it is important to 
separate as widely as possible the interests which may conflict. 

Separation of the waters of the reservation can probabl}" be most 
efi'ectively made b}" allotting the waters of certain streams to the 
Indians and allowing the whites to use other streams. If this propo- 
sition is tenable, it is suggested that the waters of Whiterocks River 
be granted, or disposed of, and that the waters of the other streams be 
held for the irrigation of Indian lands. 



8 UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 

It is to be noted in this connection that the assumptions made in this 
report as to agricultural lands an* dop(Mident upon the construction of 
canals. That is to say. certain areas have been noted as agricultural 
on the assumption ti)at canals would ])e built to bring water to the 
lands. These agricultural areas are, however, practically valueless 
and can not be allotted to the Indians for their support until the irri- 
gation works are built. 

This report relates almost entirely to the eastern or inhabited end of 
the reservation, where water is in excess of the needs of the agricul- 
tural lands. In the extreme northwestern part of the reservation, 
among the high mountains, there are several small ditches, built by 
the whites, diverting water from the headwaters of the Duchesne and 
its tributaries, and carrying small portions over the divide westerly 
to the headwaters of streams flowing into Utah Lake and Great Salt 
Lake. Such diversion is probably without any authority, but at the 
present time is not injurious to any rights of the Indians. The 
enlargement or further construction of such ditches might in the 
future result injuriously to agricultural development along Duchesne 
River, but this is too problematical to be now seriously considered. 

In conclusion it is recommended that, after the irrigation system for 
the Indians has been perfected to the extent necessary to cover the 
agricultural lands described in the report, the waters of White- 
rocks River be granted or disposed of as not being needed by the 
Indians. At present, however, some of the waters of this river are 
used by Indian ditches, and considerable construction will be required 
to completel}^ separate the source of water for the Indian ditches from 
that of the wdiite men's ditches. 

At present, and for many 3'ears in the future, the supply of water on 
the reservation is enormously in excess of the uses by the Indians, but 
in view of the future needs of the lands which may be allotted to the 
Indians, there is not much water which can be appropriated without 
injury to these prospective wants. 

Very truly, yours, F. H. Newell, 

Ilydrographer, 

Hon. Charles D. Walcott, Director. 



THE WATER SUPPLY OF THE UINTA INDIAN 
RESERVATION, UTAH. 

BY 

CYRUS GATES BABB. 



CO^TE^TS. 



Page. 

Introduction 13 

Eeport of operations 14 

Location and physical features of the reservation 14 

Precipitation 17 

Fort Duchesne Military Reservation 18 

Uintaite deposits 19 

Allotments of Uncompahgre Indians 20 

Present condition of Indians on the reservation 21 

Present canal systems within the reservation 22 

Present diversions of water from the reservation 24 

Water supply 24 

Uinta River near Whiterocks, Utah 24 

Whiterocks River near Whiterocks, Utah 25 

Uinta River at Fort Duchesne, Utah 25 

Uinta River at Ouray School, Utah 25 

Duchesne River at Price Road Bridge, Utah 26 

Lake Creek near mouth, Utah 26 

Miscellaneous discharge measurements on the reservation 32 

Land allotment and duty of water 34 

Uinta River agricultural area 35 

Irrigable lands outside the reservation 36 

Lake Creek agricultural area 37 

Duchesne River agricultural area 39 

Duchesne canal lines 40 

Upper canal lines 41 

Lower canal line 44 

Resume of Duchesne irrigable lands 45 

Summarv of land classification and water supply of reservation 46 

Vernal Valley ! 48 



ILLUSTEATIO]^S. 



Page. 

Plate I. Map of northeastern Utah 14 

II. Map of agricultural lands 16 

III. Check-gate Canal No. 1, Uinta Indian Reservation 22 

IV. Head-gate Canal No. 1, Uinta Indian Reservation 24 

V. Gaging station on Uinta River in canyon, Utah 26 

VI. Gaging station on Whiterocks River near Whiterocks, Utah 30 

VII. Gaging station on Uinta River at Fort Duchesne, Utah 34 

VIII. Lake Creek, one-half mile below junction North and South Forks, 

looking upstream 36 

IX. Lake Creek, one-half mile below junction of North and South Forks, 

looking downstream 38 

X. Duchesne River immediately above mouth of Uinta River 40 

XL Lower Duchesne canal line 42 

XII. Duchesne River 1 mile above Price road bridge, Utah 44 

XIII. Map of canal of Vernal Valley, Utah 46 

XIV. Drop Central Ashley Canal 48 

XV. Weir Central Ashley Canal 50 

11 



THE WATER SUPPLY OF THE UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION, 

UTAH. 



By Cyrvs Gates Babb. 



INTRODUCTION. 



In northeastern Utah are a number of streams included within the 
Uinta Indian Reservation, which carry a considerable amount of water 
throughout the year. Only a small portion of it is utilized at the 
present time, however, the remainder of it running to waste. Within 
recent years efforts have been made b}'^ various persons and corpora- 
tions to secure permission to divert this water from the reservation to 
adjacent arid lands. In the act approved March 1, 1899, making 
appropriations for the current and contingent expenses of the Indian 
department, etc., is the following paragraph: 

That the Secretary of the Interior be, and he is hereby, authorized in his discre- 
tion to grant rights of way for the construction and maintenance of dams, ditches 
and canals on or through the Uinta Reservation in Utah, for the purpose of diverting 
and appropriating the waters of the streams in said reservation for useful purposes: 
Provided, That all such grants shall be subject at all times to the paramount rights 
of the Indians on said reservation to so much of said waters as may have been appro- 
priated, or may hereafter be appropriated or needed by them for agricultural and 
domestic purposes; and it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Interior to pre- 
scribe such rules and regulations as he may deem necessary to secure to the Indians 
the quantity of water needed for their present and prospective wants, and to other- 
wise protect the rights and interests of the Indians and the Indian Service. 

Various reports have been received from time to time at the office 
of the Secretary of the Interior in regard to this water supply. Some 
state that there is more than a sufficient amount for the future needs of 
the Indians; other statements are to the effect that if the attempt was 
made to bring all of the arable lands on the reservation under cultiva- 
tion there would be a shortage of supply. 

In order to reconcile these conflicting reports, the Secretarj' of the 
Interior, in June, 1899, requested the Director of the Geological 
Survey to detail a sufficient number of topographers and engineers to 
determine the facts in the case, and make the investigation of sufficient 
scope to cover the points cited in the above-mentioned act. Mr. Cyrus 
C. Babb, hydrographer, was detailed to this investigation. 

A preliminary report on the investigation was published in the 
Twenty -first Annual Report of the Geological Survey, Part IV, pages 
305 to 330, giving a detailed description of the ph}' sical characteristics 
and present conditions on the Uinta Indian Reservation. 

13 



14 UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 

REPORT OF OPERATIONS. 

When the investigation was begun, in September. 1899, in order 
to ohtain the amount of water in the rivers, the following gauging 
stations were established, as described in Water Supplv Papers, No. 37, 
pages 288 to 292, and No. 50, pages 369 to 374: One on Whiterocks 
River, 10 miles above the Indian agenc}'; the second on Uinta River, 
in its canj'on, 10 miles above the same point: the third^ at Fort 
Duchesne, on the main Uinta River; the fourth at Oura}' School, on 
Uinta River; the fifth at the bridge on the Price road, on the main 
Duchesne River, at a point about 1-1 miles from Fort Duchesne; and the ' 
sixth on Lake Creek, at the wagon bridge, near its mouth. Discharge 
measurements at these points have been continuous since the estalilish- 
ment of the stations to the present time. 

A plane-table survey of the agricultural lands of the reservation has 
also been made on a scale of i mile to 2 inches, and with a contour 
interval of 20 feet. The accompanying map shows the area thus cov- 
ered. The horizontal control was obtained b}^ triangulation and the 
vertical bj^ means of level lines, the latter work being intrusted to 
Mr. C. T. Prall. 

Field work was activel}^ prosecuted in 1899 and 1900, and was 
brought to a close in June, 1901. On the disbandment of the parties 
each "fall Mr. Prall was left to continue the stream gaugings on the 
reservation through the winter season. During the sunnuer of 1901 
stream gaugings were under the charge of Mr. L. V. Branch. At the 
close of the field season in 1899, 176 square miles had been mapped: in 
1900, 228 square miles additional had been covered; and in 1901, 198 
square miles were surveyed, making a total area of 602 square miles. 

During 1900 a number of preliminary canal lines were run, aggre- 
gating about 75 miles in length, along the Upper Duchesne River, Mr. 
A. L. Fellows, an engineer of Denver, Colo., being in charge of the 
work. During 1901 a canal line to the Lower Duchesne benches was 
located, with a length of 24 miles. 

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE RESERVATION. 

The Uinta Indian Reservation is located in northeastern Utah. It 
was set aside by Executive order of President Lincoln on October 3, - 
1861, which was subsequentlj^ approved by four acts of Congress, the 
latest bearing date May 21, 1868. The reservation was supposed to 
include the drainage basin of Duchesne River with its main tributary, 
Uinta River. The surveys that were made of the boundary have 
excluded some portions of the drainage basin and hence the area of 
the reservation does not wholly correspond with the area drained. 

The reservation covers an area of 2,039,040 acres, or 3,186 sc^uare 
miles. Its northern boundaiy is along the divide of the Uinta Moun- 
tains, whose peaks attain elevations of over 13,000 feet. Its western 
boundary is a portion of the Wasatch Range, while its southern bound- 
arv is an irregular line over the rolling countiy between the basin of 
Minnemaud Creek and small tributaries of the Duchesne. Immedi- 
atel}' south of the southern boundary line is Tavaputs Plateau and 
Roan Cliffs, which overlook the valley of Price River. Green River 
forms the boundary line a short distance at the southeastern extremity. 
The eastern boundaiy line, as originally surveyed, was afterwards 




H Doc AJJ...^ 57 1 



MAP OF NORTHEASTERN UTAH. 




H Doc; Alt _ 57 1 



UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 15 

moditied by act of Congress approved May 24, 18S8, in order to ex- 
clude the so-called "Strip," a triangular area of 7,000 acres east of 
Fort Duchesne, which contains valuable uintaite, or gilsonite, deposits. 
Farther to the north a certain portion of Deep Creek drainage which 
enters the Uinta 2 miles above the military post is not included in 
the Indian reservation. This latter excluded area contains some tine 
agricultural land. The greatest due east-west length of the reserva- 
tion is about 75 miles, w4th a north- south width of approximately 00 
miles. 

The main stream is Duchesne River, which flows in an easterlj- direc- 
tion through a tine agricultural valley nearly 2 miles in width, entering 
Greeii River just above the mouth of AVhite River. Its main upper 
trilHitary is Strawberry Creek, which drains an area of 1,166 square 
miles. This creek passes through what is known as Strawlierr}^ Valley, 
a tine tract of level land, with an average elevation of 7,500 feet. The 
altitude is rather high for general agricultural purposes, but the land is 
splendidly adapted to grazing. It is well grassed and will support 
numerous herds of cattle. The water supply for this valle}' is excellent, 
the streams having their source in the "Wasatch jNIountains, whose can- 
3'ons sometimes contain snow the year around. For a number of 3'ears 
this area, to the extent of 675,000 acres, has been leased to certain 
cattle companies for grazing purposes. 

A good idea of the country can be obtained from a description of 
the road between Heber Valley and Fort Duchesne. The divide at 
the head of Daniels Creek, overlooking Strawberry" Valley, and on the 
reservation boundar}^ line is 8,100 feet in elevation. Strawberry 
Valley is about 10 miles long, with an average width of three-fourths 
of a mile. In passing down the valley in September, 1899, several 
small tributaries were crossed, the discharge of each of which aver- 
aged about 1 second-foot. The road to the east out of the valley 
makes a sudden ascent of 600 feet on entering the foothills about 4 
miles north of the outlet canj'on of Strawberry Creek, and then turns 
southward and descends to a small creek which flows into the Straw- 
berry. The discharge of this creek did not exceed 2 second-feet on 
September 7, 1899. The road thence leads up a grade and down to a 
fork of Currant Creek, which was carrying 1 second-foot of water on 
that day. The grazing here in the bottom lands was good. For a 
mile the road followed the fork of the creek, then led over a divide, 
and down to the main Currant Creek, which was discharging 20 
second-feet of water. 

The hills for some distance east and west of this stream are of red 
sandstone. The country to the east is generally undulating, sloping 
eastward to Red Creek. Blacktail Mountain, with an elevation of 
10,000 feet, is 10 miles to the north, the canyon of Strawberry Creek 
being 7 miles in the opposite direction. On September 8, 1899, Red 
Creek was discharging 8 second- feet. Three miles from the latter 
stream and on the mesa the roads fork, the left-hand road leading to 
Duchesne River. For 10 miles the general course of the right-hand 
road is to the east, over a rolling country sparsely covered with cedar. 
The next 5 miles it is through a rough country thickly timbered with 
cedar and pinon pine. The rock formations are massive sandstone 
ledges, interstratitied with purple and yellow shales, the strata having 
a general northeasterly dip. The distance from Red Creek to Straw- 
berry Creek is 20 miles, with no water intervening. 



IC, UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 

On Sopteniljer 10 the diachari,^e of StrawberiT Crook about 4 miles 
above its mouth was 134 second^feet. The area drained at the same 
point is 1,1(1() square miles. Duchesne River above Strawberr\' Creek 
was carry inc( on the same day 302 second-feet, draining an area of 703 
square miles'. The drainage" basin of the latter stream is much more 
mountainous than the basin of the former stream, having a heavier 
precipitation, and contributing a greater run-off to the square mile. 
A large portion of the drainage area of the lower part of Strawberry 
Creek, especially that to the south, contributes practically no water, 
except during the spring. Indian Creek enters Strawberry Creek 
within 1 mile of its mouth, and on the date stated was carrying 1 second- 
foot. The valley of Duchesne River down to Lake Creek averages 
2 miles in width, and is bordered on either side b}'^ sandstone cliffs 
approximately 200 feet in height. The cliff's on the northern side are 
capped by a heavy deposit of coarse river gravel and cobblestones. 
Duchesne River is very crooked, swinging backward and forward 
across its valley, with its course marked by a thick line of cotton- 
woods. 

Lake Creek is an important tributary of Duchesne River, draining 
a country in the central portion of the reservation. The source of the 
stream is on the southern slope of the high Uinta Mountains, and it 
flows in a southerly course, entering Duchesne River about 3 miles 
above the Price road bridge. The area drained at its mouth is 475 
square miles. 

Uinta River and its principal tributary, Whiterocks River, drains , 
the eastern portion of the reservation and adjacent areas east of the 
reservation line. These streams rise in the extreme northern end of 
the reservation, on the southern slopes of the Uinta Mountains. They 
flow in a general southeasterly direction, and unite in various chan- 
nels between the Uinta Indian Agency at Whiterocks and the military 
post at Fort Duchesne. From this point they flow in one channel, 
uniting with the main Duchesne River 6 miles below, near the Ouray 
school. 

Whiterocks and Uinta rivers merge from their canyons about 10 
miles above the Indian agency at Whiterocks. North of this point 
the country is distinctly mountainous and diflicult of access. South 
of the canyons it is flat for some distance west of the river and has a 
distinct southern slope of about 40 feet to the mile. Uinta River and 
various washes cut this country with a still greater slope of about 70 
feet to the mile, and in the course of 5 to 7 miles below the mountain- 
ous area they have dissected the plateau into a number of mesas of 
varying width. As a result of the difference of the fall of the mesas and 
of the washes, cliffs from 150 to 200 feet in height are formed border- 
ing the Duchesne River on the north side. Immediately south of the 
river the bottom land is bordered by a similar line of cliff's with a 
series of mesas extending southward for a number of miles. 

The following table shows the area drained by Duchesne River and 
a number of its tributaries: 




H Doc 67/ _ 57 1 



'm. UTAH, 

100 FOOT CONTOURS. 




UINTA INDIAN R?:SERVATION, 

Drahiage areas. 



17 



stream. 


Locality. 


Area. 


Strawberry Creek 


At mouth 


Sq. milei', 

1,166 

703 

2,247 

147 

160 

308 

475 

2,746 

114 

47 


Duchesne Kiver 




Do 


Above Lake Creek 


Lake Creek, East Fork 


At mouth : 


Lake Creek, West Fork 


do ■ ■■■ 


Lake Creek 


One-half mile below Junction of two forks 

At mouth . . 


Do 


Duchesne River 




Whiterocks River 


In canyon 


Farm Creek 


do 


Uinta River 


do 


218 

672 

1 967 

260 

3,985 


Do 




Do 


At Ourav School 


Drv Gulch Creek 


At mouth 


Duchesne River 


do 







PRECIPITATION. 

Records of the amount of rainfall in this locality have been kept at Fort 
Duchesne, at Vernal, and at Heber. The latter station is in upper 
Provo River Vallev. It is thought that the record there would better 
show the precipitation in the mountainous area than would the records 
at the other stations. The average annual precipitation at Fort 
Duchesne from 1891 to 1S98, inclusive, was 6.79 inches. At Vernal, 
from 1895 to 1898, inclusive, it was 9.62 inches. Owing to an occa- 
sional month when observations were not kept, it is impossible to 
give an accurate average for the Heber station, but it is somewhere 
near 17 inches. 

These records do not show the amount available for the river suppl}', 
as none of the stations are located in the mountains, which are the source 
of the main suppl3\ For instance, the Fort Duchesne record would 
simpW show the rainfall on the ranches on agricultural land. The 
elevation there is 4,91:1 feet. Without doubt the mountain peaks, 
which attain elevations of 13,000 feet, receive a greater rainfall and 
snowfall. 

Precipitation, in inches, at Heher, Utah. 
[Elevation, 5,606 feet.] 



Year. 


Jan. 


Feb. 


Mar. 


Apr. 


May. 


June. 


July. Aug. Sept. 


Oct. 


Nov. 


Dec. 


Annual. 


1893 


1.00 
3.65 
3.22 
2.10 
1.30 
1.40 
2.45 
1.06 
2.20 


2.95 


3. 35 


2.15 
.41 
.48 

2.40 
.90 

1.25 
.89 

2.53 
.31 


0.76 

.54 

1.54 

1.85 

.70 

L72 


0.02 
.79 
.25 
.09 
.38 
.83 
.97 
.20 
.08 


0.27 0.68 0.28 

.62 1.16 , 2.47 

1.37 Tr. 1 -.50 


0.73 

1.70 

.40 


1.60 
.00 
.60 


3.95 
2.60 


17.84 


1894 

1895 


1. 60 1. 65 

1.93 1.45 

.95 1 2.46 

4.10 1 2.90 

50 s sn 


17.19 


1896 


8 35 1 -.55 


1.44 
3.14 

"is' 


.75 




1897 


.56 
.25 

" '."25' 
.40 


.49 
.64 

2.10 
.31 

2.06 


1.50 
1.44 


1.00 
1.60 




1898. .. 


1.10 




1899 


5.85 
1.50 
2.20 


3.00 

.34 

1.56 




1900 


1.20 
.16 


1.47 
1.70 


4.42 
1.40 


.22 
1.50 


13.60 


1901 













H. Doc. 671- 



UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 



Prcripitution, iniiichcs, at Wrtxil, Uddi. 
[Elevation, 5,050 feet.] 



Year. 


Jan. 


Feb. 


Mar. 


Apr. 


May. 


June. 


July. 


Aug. 


Sept. 


Oct. 


Nov. 


Dec. 


Annual. 


1895 


1.00 
.48 
.96 
.63 
.40 
.47 
.71 


0..54 
.29 

1.11 
.47 
..55 
.12 

1.36 


1.30 
.38 
.86 
.60 

1.93 
.15 
.31 


0.08 
.89 
.58 
.50 


1..51 
.94 
.62 

2. OS 


1 
0..53 ' 0.76 


0.40 
.58 
.26 
».66 
1.63 
.22 
.73 


0.38 
2.48 
2.83 
1.04 

Tr. 
1.46 

.04 


1.03 
.69 

2.34 
.30 


1.33 
.42 
.42 
.39 


0.27 
.04 

1.20 
.17 


9.13 


1896 


.04 

.23 

•.45 

.78 
.14 


1.86 

1.08 

.34 

.03 


9.09 


1897 


12.69 


1898 


7. .50 


1899 


.39' 

2.00 1 .'m 


8.41 


1900 


.57 
.42 


1.21 
.27 


.04 

.48 


4.67 


1901 


.33 


.86 


.21 


.21 


5.93 



» Fort Duchesne record. 

Precipitatmn, in incites, at Fort Ducliesne, Utah. 
[Elevation, 4,941 feet.] 



Year. 



1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 
1897 
1898 
1899 
1900 
1901 



Jan. 


Feb. 


Mar. 


Apr. 


0..35 


0.18 


0.32 


0.68 


1.01 


.27 


.02 


.21 


.22 


.28 


.57 


.99 


.40 


.30 


.78 


1.24 


.42 


.44 


3.10 


2.01 


.08 


.19 


.56 


Tr. 


.09 


.03 


.09 


.00 


.60 


.09 


.14 


.21 


.87 


.90 


.28 


.01 


.60 


.10 


.75 


.17 


.20 


.40 


2.10 


.60 


.85 


.00 


.00 


1.72 


.25 


.95 


.15 


.20 



May. 


June. 


July. 


0.73 


0.15 


0.49 


.00 


.00 


1.35 


.96 


.34 


.24 


1.35 


.03 


.16 


.92 


.00 


.47 


.20 


.34 


.26 


1.53 


1.02 


.17 


1.40 


.03 


1.45 


.16 


.02 


.17 


.61 


.45 


.(;6 


.00 


.05 


.71 


.15 


.06 


.08 


.60 


.08 


.14 



Aug. Sept. 



0.56 
.85 

1.42 
.08 
.57 
.30 
.20 
.64 
.21 
.66 
.90 
.40 

2.47 



0.34 

.32 
1.40 

Tr. 

.36 
1.88 

.03 
2.23 
4.61 

.08 

.00 
1.25 

.03 



Oct. 


Nov. 


0.66 


0.05 


1.17 


.03 


.00 


.00 


.46 


.14 


.16 


.24 


.34 


.00 


.13 


.90 


.54 


.20 


3.00 


.00 


.05 


.13 


.83 


.00 


.27 


.51 


.64 


.16 



Dec. Annual. 



1.77 
.27 

1.06 
.46 
.49 
.69 
.31 
.00 

1.20 
.10 

1.20 
.30 
.51 



5. 28 
5.50 
7. .54 
5.46 
9.18 
4.84 
4.50 
6.99 
11.43 
4.36 
6.59 
5.09 
6.18 



FORT DUCHESNE MILITARY RESERVATION. 

The following General Orders, No. 59, issued from the Adjutant- 
General's Office, United States Arm}^ and dated Washington, Septem- 
ber 3, 1887, is relative to the establishment of the military post at 
Fort Duchesne: 

By authority of the President of the United States, September 1, 1887, the follow- 
ing-described tract of land in the Territory of Utah, embraced within the limits of 
the Uinta Indian Reservation, created by Executive order dated October 3, 1861, 
and act of Congress approved May .5, 1864 (13 Stats., 63), is proclaimed a mili- 
tary reservation for the post of Fort Duchesne, viz: 

Beginning at a point 2 miles due north of the flagstaff of Fort Duchesne, Utah Terri- 
tory, and running thence due west 1 mile to the northwest corner; thence due south 
3 miles to the southwest corner; thence due east 2 miles to the southeast corner; 
thence due north 3 miles to the northeast corner; thence due west 1 mile to the 
point of beginning; area, 6 square miles, 2 by 3. 

This with the proviso that "the use and occupancy of the land in question be sub- 
ject to such right, title, and interest as the Indians have in and to the same, and that 
it be vacated whenever the interest of the Indians shall require it, upon notice to 
that effect to the Secretary of War." 

The corners of the boundaries are marked with sticks 3 feet long, 
the northwest and southeast corners having bottles buried under the 
sticks, with a slip of paper in each l)earing the words "Northwest 
corner of Fort Duchesne Military Reservation'' and "Southeast cor- 
ner of Fort Duchesne Military Reservation," respectively. 

In 1899 there were stationed at Fort Duchesne two troops of cav- 
alry, numbering 250 people, with 350 animals. Placing .the civilian 
population at 50 would make a total of 300. The Government esti- 
mate for water suppl}' for military post is 2 gallons per person per 
day and 5 gallons per animal per d'ny. There would, therefore, be 



UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 19 

required 600 gallons for the inhabitants and 1,750 gallons for the stocky 
making a total of 2,350 gallons per day. 

The fort was originally established as a six-company post, which 
would represent a population of 800 people, with 500 animals, requir- 
ing a water supply of -1,100 gallons daily, or less than 0.1 second-foot. 
Trautwine estimates 60 gallons per day per inhabitant for the water 
supply for a town. On that basis, for a population of 800 people, 
48,000 gallons, or 0.7 second-foot, would be necessary. These figures 
are very small compared with the amount required for irrigation. 

A small acreage, including a garden and lawn, is now irrigated by a 
ditch from the river heading a short distance above the fort. A liberal 
estimate of the amount required for this purpose is 2 second-feet. At 
present water for domestic purposes is pumped directly from the river 
into a tank, whence it is distributed at the post. During the fall the 
quality of the supply is excellent, but in the spring Deep Creek, Avhich 
enters the Uinta about 2 miles above the post, brings down an immense 
amount of sediment, which makes the supply objectionable. 

UINTAITE DEPOSITS. 

By act of Congress approved May 24, 1888, about 7,000 acres of 
the Uinta Indian Reservation, or what is known as The Strip, was 
purchased by treaty from the Indians and thrown open to settlers. 
The western boundary of this area is only 2 miles from the military 
post. Several years previous to the opening of this section valuable 
deposits of asphaltum were discovered within it, which was the reason 
for the purchase. These deposits are known as uintaite, or gilsonite, 
the latter name being derived from that of the earliest prospector, Mr. 
S. H. Gilson. of Salt Lake. A number of other deposits of this char- 
acter are found southeast of Fort Duchesne, on what was formerly the 
Uncompahgre Indian Reservation, which was the chief reason for the 
opening up of the latter reserve. The Fort Duchesne vein is about 
2i miles long and averages 2 feet in width. Its depth is unknown, 
but it may extend to several hundred feet. This deposit is the one 
w^hich has received the greatest development, the' openings having 
reached a depth of 175 feet. 

The quality of the material increases with the depth to a certain 
limit, the better quality being found at the bottom. This is due to 
the weathering of the upper layers. Near the point where the Colo- 
rado line crosses White River the gilsonite strips are of larger size, 
being from 12 to 18 feet in width, but they have not been as exten- 
sively worked as the one just described, owing largely to lack of rail- 
road facilities. The three largest claims are known as the East Bonanza, 
the West Bonanza and the Cow Bo3^ Black Dragon is the other prin- 
cipal claim. It is located in the region of upper Evacuation Creek, 
about 15 miles south of the Bonanza and Cow Boy group. Uintaite 
is employed chief!}' in the manufacture of low-grade black varnishes, 
such as are used on various kinds of ironwork and japans. For high- 
grade varnishes, i. e., for those used on coaches, etc., it is said not to 
be adapted. It is also used to a certain extent in paving cements. A 
report on these deposits by George H. Eldridge was published in the 
Seventeenth Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey, 
Part I, pages 909 to 949. In the southwestern corner of the reserva- 
tion, at the head of Indian Can^'on, is a deposit of elaterite, at present 
; w^orked by the Raven Mining Company under a lease from the Indians 



20 UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 

ALLOTMENTS OF UNCOMPAHGRE INDIANS. 

By act of Conoro.s.s approved June 9, 1897, the President was 
authorized to appoint a comniiH.sion to allot lands to the Uncompahgre 
Indians, and to treat with them for the openino- up of the remainder 
of their reservation. These Indians were oriiiinally settled upon a 
reservation in Colorado, ))ut were mo\'ed to Utah in 1881. As a com- 
pensation for their removal thev were to receive the proceeds of the 
sale of all the lands of their original reservation. For this reason the 
act above referred to required the Uncompahgres to pay for their 
allotments at the rate of §1.25 per acre from the proceeds of sales of 
their reservation in Colorado. 

The greater portion of the old Uncompahgre Indian Reservation is 
a desert not susceptible of irrigation, the only land adapted to this 
purpose lying along the 1)ottom of Green and White rivers, and the 
area is not sufficient for the needs of the Indians. For this reason a 
second commission was appointed to treat with the Uinta Indians for 
the sale of certain of their lands along Duchesne River for the pur- 
pose of placing the Uncompahgres upon them. This latter commis- 
sion came to an agreement with the Indians, but its recommendations 
have not yet ))een ratified by Congress. 

The allotting commission was to locate the Indians according to the 
following: Fach head of family, 160 acres of irrigable land, with 160 
additional acres for grazing purposes; each single person over 18 years 
of age, 80 acres of irrigable land, with 80 acres for grazing purposes; 
each orphan under IS years of age, 80 acres of irrigable land, with 80 
acres for grazing purposes; each other person under 18 years of age, 
born prior to the allotment, was to receive 80 acres of irrigalde land, 
with the same amount for grazing purposes. 

In this way 550 Uncompahgres were given land on the Uinta Indian 
Reserv^ation, principally along Duchesne River, in 284 allotments of 
160 acres each, making a total of 45,4-10 acres. At $1.25 per acre this 
amounts to $56,800, which the Uncompahgre Indians will ultimately 
have to pay to the Uintas. One hundred allotments were made on the 
bottom lands on Green and White rivers. 

The allotments were made subject to ratification bv Congress. The 
Commission did not have sufficient time to settle all of the Uncompahgres 
on lands, so that at the present time about 200 of these Indians are 
unprovided for. It is something of a pro])lem where they shall be 
settled. The present allotments on the Duchesne extend to above 
Lake Creek, and the Uintas have objected to a farther extension in 
that direction. 

The following table shows the Uncompahgre allotments on the Uinta 
Indian Reservation : 

Acres. 

Township 3 S., range 1 W 3,360 

Township 2 S., range 1 E 640 

Township 3 S., range IE ? . . 8, 480 

Township 3 S., range 2 E 4, 960 

Township 3 S., range 1 W 4, 480 

Township 3 S., range 2 W 9, 120 

Township 3 S., range 3 W 8, 000 

Townsliip 4 S., range 3 W 2,240 

Township 4 S., ranges 2 and 3 E 3,200 

Township 2 S., range 2 E 960 

Total 45,440 



iriNTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 21 

PRESENT CONDITION OF INDIANS ON THE RESERVATION. 

The Indian tribes orig-inally settled on the Uinta Reservation were 
the following: Gosiute, Pavant, Uinta, Yampa, and Grand River and 
White River Utes. They are all now known as either the Uinta or 
White River Utes. On the Uncompahgre Reservation the Indians 
were the Tabegauche or Uncompahgre Utes. The Indian census for 
1899 showed the following number of the latter Indians: 

Uncompahgres: 

Males over 18 years of age 294 

Females over 14 years of age 298 

Bovs ■ ] 28 

Girls 118 

838 
Southern Utes 13 

Total 851 

The greater proportion of the White River Utes were first settled 
on a reservation in Colorado, but after the massacre of their agent, 
Mr. Meeker, in 1878, they" w^ere all moved, two vears later, to the 
Uinta Indian Reservation. The census of June 30, 1899, gave the 
following figures: 

Uintas: 

Males over 18 years of age 144 

Females over 14 years of age 135 

Children 192 

Total 471 

White Rivers: 

Males over 18 years of age Ill 

Females over 14 vears of age 92 

Children J 156 

Total 359 

Summary : 

Uintas 471 

White Rivers 359 

Shoshones 3 

Delaware woman 1 

Uncompahgres, by allotment 550 

Total 1, 384 

The Utes are below the average Indian in intelligence and industry. 
To within the last few 3'ears thej^ have been known as "blanket 
Indians." They are rather indolent, but, on the other hand, they have 
not given so much trouble as some of the tribes in other sections of 
the country. They are taking slowly but surely to civilization, and 
at the present time a certain portion of their subsistence is the result 
of their own industry. In the report of the Indian agent for 1898 the 
following percentages of subsistence are given: Indian labor, 20 per 
cent; hunting and fishing, 10 per cent; Government rations, 65 per 
cent; cash annuity, 5 per cent. 

The Uinta Indians are the most industrious, cultivating areas of con- 
siderable extent. In fact they constitute b}- far the largest proportion 



22 UINTA INDIAN KESEKVATION. 

of the. fanniiiti" populutioii. Except for a band located on the upper 
Duchesne, al)Out i>() miles fi'oni the agency, under the leadership of 
Tabhy, who is also the o'eneral chief of the Uintas, the greater jiropor- 
tion are located on the west side of Uinta River, between Fort 
Duch(\>^ne an(^ the aoencv at Whiterocks. 

The White River Indians arc the so-(^alled ))ad Indians of the reser- 
A ation, ))eing located on the east side of Uinta River, in the vicinity of 
^^'hiterocks, the Indian ag'ency. They have a few small ditches lead- 
ing from the Uinta and cultivate a limited area. The following will 
show the difference between the Uintas and the White Rivers: The 
former are re(|uesting that they l)e permanently located on certain 
agricultural lands and that water be furnished them; the latter, in a 
recent petition to the Government, in which they set forth certain 
grievances, stated that one of the conditions for a peaceful settlement 
was that all ditches and wire fences should ])e destroyed — they wanted 
nothing to do with such things. 

The Uncompahgre Indians, who have Ijeen located on this reserva- 
tion for the last two years, are principally on the Lower Duchesne 
River, their allotments covering nearly all of the agricultural lands 
from the mouth of the river to Lake Creek. The remainder of these 
Indians, about 200, are now scattered along l)ottom lands of White and 
Green rivers. 

PRESENT CANAL SYSTEMS WITHIN THE KESERYATION. 

The GovernuT^nt has constructed a number of canals on this reserva- 
tion for the use of the Indians. Canal No. 1, as it is kno^m, heads 
li miles southwest of the Indian agency, and takes water from L^inta 
River to the-west. Considerable fall to this ditch was given through- 
out its entire length — the fall for the first mile being about IS feet. 
The first 5 miles of the canal are along the mesa, which has a veiy 
stony soil, in certain sections partially cemented. On account of this 
characteristic this portion of the canal will permit a high velocity of 
the water without erosion. Unfortunately, however, while practicallj" 
the same grade was given to the lower part of the canal, owing to the 
different quality of soil the erosion has been very great, and in 
places the canal is severely cut. At the 5-niile post the w^ater of the 
canal tumbles over a cliff' into a natural channel. From that point to 
the 8-mile post the fall is 480 feet. 

At the 9-mile post are diversion works which again take the water 
into an artiffcial channel. Owing to the great descent just mentioned 
the erosion has been extensive, and a large amount of sediment has 
been deposited in the stretches of the canal immediately below. On 
account of these difficulties — deposition in some places and erosion in 
others — this canal is now practically worthless, and the ^2i».000 which 
were used in its construction are virtually wasted. At the present 
time only about 100 acres are irrigated from this canal, including 
small areas on the mesa and at the Government farm, which at present 
is run by an employee of the Indian service. The object of this farm 
which was to ))e operated b}" an experienced farmer, was to instruct the, 
Indians in the best ways of agriculture. The capacity of Canal No. 1 
at its head is about 30 second-feet. 

Another section of country at present under cultivation is located 



UINTA INDIAN RESP:RVATI()N. 23 

west of the Indian ao-ency, and is settled principally by the White 
River Indians. The land is served b}' a number of small ditches from 
the Whiterocks River, and only a small acreag'e is under cultivation. 

Bench ditch takes water from Uinta River, about 5 miles south of 
Whiterocks, and irrigates the mesa lietween the military post and the 
agency. On October 14, when this canal was first measured, it was 
carr3^ing 49 second-feet. Its maximum capacity is about 75 second- 
feet. The ranches which it serves form the most attractive feature of 
the reservation; the different fields are wire fenced, and one imagines 
Avhen passing through it that he is in a countrj' cultivated b}" white 
men. Prosperous looking fields of alfalfa and oats are seen on either 
side of the road; also a num])er of well-built log houses, which have 
been erected by the Government. 

A number of these ranches are run by white men, who do not own 
the land, but rent it from the Indians. The houses are not all occu- 
pied, as one from a distance would suppose, the Indians in a number 
of cases living in their wickiups erected close by. The estiuiated area 
under cultivation on the bench country is 1,000 acres. 

The main ditch extends in a southerly direction down the center of 
the mesa, the last three miles being directh^ along a section line. At 
the southern extremity of Bench ditch the water tumbles over a cliff 
al)out 2(>0 feet high, and thence finds its w^ay into Dry Gulch Creek, 
which empties into Uinta River a short distance above the Ouray 
school. The erosion from this falling water is extensive, and an 
immense amount of sediment is being transported to Dry Gulch 
Creek and gradualh' filling it. In fact this channel has so filled 
within the last few years that at the bridge crossing it at the Price 
road the water is up to the stringers, and a heavy flood in Dry Gulch 
Creek would certainly carry off the structure. 

The next ditch, 100 feet below the bridge and extending toward the 
Ouray school. 4 miles distant, was designed to divert this heavily sur- 
charged water from Dry Gulch Creek, but it is now so filled with sedi- 
ment that it is simply a line of sand on a level with the surrounding- 
banks extending across the country. It is taken out from the right- 
hand side of Dry Gulch. 

A small ditch diverts water from the left bank of Uinta Ri^•er, head- 
ing aljout 1 mile below the military post, and extends to-svard the 
Ouray school. 

There is a fine tract of agricultural land in the vicinity of Oura}^ 
school , comprising the country l^etween Uinta and Duchesne rivers. Its 
eastern and western length is about 5 miles. The ditch which irrigates 
it diverts water from Duchesne River, about 8 miles above the school, 
and owing to the clearness of the water the ditch has not l)een filled 
with sediment. Its capacity is hardly sufficient for the entire area, 
but it could easily be enlarged. 

A fifth canal heads on the upper Duchesne immediately above Ante- 
lope Creek and about 11 miles above the Price road bridge over the 
main river. It is 15 feet wide, and will furnish a good supply of water 
for the bottom lands of the Duchesne. 

Two or three small canals divert water from Duchesne River below 
the Ouray School and serve land between that point and the lower 
agency at Ouray. The water is used by the Uncompahgre Indians. 
Tabby's band of Uintas, on the upper "Duchesne above Strawberry 



24 UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 

Creek, also cultivates small areas by means of a few ditches. The 
area cultivated during 1899 was approximately as follows: 

Acres. 

White Rivers 200 

I'iiitas in the vicinity of Whiterocks 500 

Under Beneh ditch 1, 000 

Canal No. 1 100 

Onray School country 800 

Upper Duche>wne -iOO 

Total 3,000 

The following- statistics are given by the Indian agent in his annual 

report for 1898: 

The Indians had under fence 1 2,(540 acres. The princii^al crops raised were hay, 
oats, wheat, and V)arley. The product of the first mentioned was 2,500 tons. The 
total for the cereals was 10,600 bushels. At the last round-up of horses and cattle it 
was estimated that the Indians owned 6,020 horses, and 2,000 head of cattle. The 
Uncompahgres have cjuite a bunch of sheep, approximatinj; 3,500 in number. 

PRESENT DIVERSIONS OF W^ATER FROM THE RESERVATION. 

For a number of years watei* has been diverted from certain trilju- 
taries on upper Strawberry Creek Avithin the Indian reservation, car- 
ried across the divide, and turned into Daniels Creek, whence it finds 
its W'a\' downward, and is again diverted and used on land in the vicin- 
ity of Heber. These diversions were made by white settlers in the 
latter valley without the consent or authorization of the Indian agent 
or of the Department of the Interior. 

There are three ditches thus diverting water — Strawberry ditch, 
Willow Creek ditch, and Hobble Creek ditch. ♦ 

Straw berr}^ ditch is 3 miles long, with an estimated capacity of 200 
miners' inches. Its probable cost was $12,000. It is in fairly good 
condition. 

AVillow Creek ditch will carry about 60 miners' inches. It is 7 miles 
long, and cost not less than ^15,000. It has a tunnel 1,000 feet long. 
It is considerably out of repair at the present time, and it will cost 
about $3,00i) to put it in good condition. 

The Hobble Creek is a good cheap ditch and is in good, repair. It 
is about 2 miles in length, with an estimated capacity of 50 miners' 
inches. 

WATER SUPPLY. 

Discharge measurements have lieen made at six regular gauging 
stations on rivers on the reservation. 

UINTA RIVER NEAR WHITEROCKS, UTAH. 

Uinta River emerges from its canyon about 1<> miles northwest of 
the Indian agency at Whiterocks, and at this point a gauging station 
was established September 16, 1899. The gauge rod is a 2 ))v 4 inch 
timber, 12 feet long, bolted to two trees on the left bank of the" stream. 
The bench mark is a nail in an aspen tree 125 feet north of the rod 
and its elevation is 8.03 feet above gauge datum. Diseharge measure- 
ments are made by car and cable. The bed of the stream is very 
rocky and strewn with large bowlders, and the station is not altogether 
satisfactory on account of the roughness of the channel. During high 
water the velocity is great, owing to the rapid fall of the water." 



UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 25 

A few hundred yards al)()ve the station an important tributaiy comes 
in from the east. At the present location a second channel has to be 
measured, but it will never carry a large volume of water. Farther 
down the stream a number of larg-e channels are formed so that it is 
difficult to obtain a satisfactory station. Dail}' records of gauge 
heights were not maintained at this point, but frequent measurements 
of discharge are made. 

WHITEROCKS RIVER NEAR WHITEROCKS, UTAH. 

A gauging station was established in the canj^on of this river about 
10 miles above the United States Indian agency at Whiterocks, on 
September 15, 1899, by Cyrus C. Babb. The gauge rod consists of a 
2 by 4 inch by 12-foot timber bolted to the triple trunk of a tree on the 
left bank of the stream. The bench mark is a nail in a burnt tree 50 
feet east of the rod, and is at an elevation of 10.12 feet above gauge 
datum. Discharge measurements are made from a car and cable 200 
feet above the gauge rod. The bed of this river is very rocky, is 
strewn with large bowlders, and although permanent in character, is 
not altogether satisfactory, because of the fact that it is impossible to 
obtain accurate soundings. Daih" gauge heights are not read at this 
point, owing to its distance from any reliable o])server. 

UINTA RIVER AT FORT DUCHESNE, UTAH. 

This station was established September 14, 1899, and is located at 
the highwax" bridge at the military post. The permanent rod was 
placed November 8, 1899, and is nailed to the southern end of the east 
crib of the bridge. The bench mark is a nail in the southeast crib in 
the first header above the bottom, and is at an elevation of 4,910.13 
feet. The elevation of the zero of the rod is 4,907.20 feet. 

Daily gauge readings are kept at this station, and after a comparison 
of the results here W'ith those of the two canyon stations just described, 
the data at the two latter points have been verified, and it is consid- 
ered that the figures as given represent to a fair degree of approxima- 
tion the average flow. A comparison of the flow at Fort Duchesne 
w'ith the combined discharge of the Uinta and Whiterocks rivers shows 
a considerable loss between the points — greater than the amount 
diverted by the cliflerent ditches. This is undoubtedly lost through 
percolation and evaporation from the mau}^ channels which form a 
net-work through the river bottom. 

UINTA RIVER AT OURAY SCHOOL. 

This station was established November 8, 1899, and is located at the 
highway bridge over the river near the Ouray school. The rod is 
nailed to the east end of the south crib of the wagon bridge. Bench 
mark No. 1 is the head of a nail in the extreme northeast corner of the 
bridge floor, and is at ah elevation of 4,745.97 feet above sea level. 
Bench mark No, 2 is a nail in the flagstafl' of the school, with an eleva- 
tion of 4.7G0 feet. The elevation of the zero of the rod is 4,737.36 
feet. During low water, measurements are made by wading at a 
section 2!>0 feet below the bridge, and at high stages they are made 
from the bridge itself. The section is a good one, although the center 
pier of the bridge interferes somewdiat with the accuracy of the results 



26 



UINTA INDIAN RKSEKVATION. 



when inea.surenients are taken there. The increase in flow between 
this point and Fort Duchesne is from the waste waters of Canal No. 1, 
and Hench ditcii, which enters throuo-h Dry Gulch Creek. 

nrCIlKSNE RIVKK AT I'ltlCK HOAI) KRID(;E, UTAH. 

This station was establishcKl Octob(n- 2f), 1S90, and is located 3 miles 
b('h)\v tlie mouth of Lake Creek, at the highway ])rido-e on the stage 
load from Price to Fort Duchesne. The permanent gauge rod was 
placed November 16, 181)9, and is nailed to the east side of the center 
pier. Bench mark No. 1 is a wire nail in a log close to the rod, and is 
opposite the 7-foot mark. Bench mark No. 2 is a wire nail in the 
northwest corner of Clark's store, and is at an elevation of 6,011.81 
feet. The elevation of the zero of the rod is 4. 996. 09 feet. The section 
at this point is a ver}" good one, with a moderate velocity of water. 
The one pier in the center of the stream does not materially affect the 
accuracy of results. Daily gauge readings are taken at this station. 

LAKE CREEK NEAR MOUTH, UTAH. 

This station was established July 3, 1900, by C. T. Prall, and is located 
at the highwa}' bridge near the mouth of the creek. The gauge rod is 
a vertical ))oard nailed to the west aliutment on the lower side of the 
bridge. Bench mark No. 1 is a nail in the abutment opposite the 
4. 50-foot mark on the rod. Bench mark No. 2 is directly over the 
gauge rod, and is the head of a wire nail in the southwest corner of 
the ])ridge upright. Its elevation is 5,066.58 feet. The elevation of the 
zero of the rod is 5,055.99 feet above sea level, according to the hydro- 
graphic survey datum. The elevation of bench mark No. 2 is 5.129 
feet, referred to the topographic survey datum. The elevation of a 
regulation iron post bench mark, 150 feet east of thQ bridge, is 
5,127.55 feet, referred to the latter datimi. The bed of the stream is 
composed of medium sized cobblestones, and forms a fair section. 
During flood stages measurements are made from the bridge, but at 
other periods they are made by wading at a point about 400 feet 
below. The monthly discharge of Lake Creek is estimated from a 
large number of actual discharge measurements, as daily gauge heights 
were not taken, owing to the distance of the location from a reliable 
observer. 

Edimated ino)ithly discharge at Whiterocks River near Wliiteroeks, Utah. 
[Drainage area, 114 square miles.] 



Month. 



1899. 

September 

October 

November 

December 

1900. 

January 

February 

March 

April 

Mav 



Mean dis- 
charge in 
second- 
feet. 



47 
4S 
50 
44 
400 



Total in 
aere-feet. 



5,117 
4,919 

3, 927 
3,874 



2, 890 
2, 666 
3,074 
2, 618 
24, 595 



Run-off. 



Second-feet 

per square 

mile. 



0.76 
.70 
.58 
.55 



.41 
.42 
.44 
.39 
3.51 



Depth in 

inches. 



0.84 
.81 
.64 
.63 



.47 
.44 
.51 
.44 
4.0 





iPMi|||' 




n ^^^'1, i 


'^^^^^^^K 


w 


WHPW' T^^^I^^^^^H, 


1 '^' 




w ,,^mP 






^^SH^^^^^^^^B^n 


\ »«f-: 






1 




"^^^^^^Bji 










^ ; . tH^^ ^ 




1 ^ "^ » 




u^-^ ' 


' ^^^^^^^^^^^^^Bi 


,''■. rU>'-- 




.. i** :S 1 




- -'• , ■• ■ > 




.?>■ ^ , } ' 




H> ■ : M 1, 








iili^.''*^\. > -^ 




/'. 'i?l ^> ^ ' 


a^^\f|m ', 


.^^- 




H^a^^^,, f *- ^^^ ' "^ 


#> nitwliiiniiriiii 


■mF^ > ' 'w<7, 



UINTA INDIAN REBP:RVATI0N. 27 

Estimated monthli/ discJtarge at ]Y}iiterocks River near WhiterockH, Utah — Continued. 



Month. 



1900. 

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 

The year 

1901. 

January 

February 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

AugnPt 

September 

October 

November 

December 

The vear 



Mean dis- 
charge in I Total in 
second- ■ acre-feet, 
feet. t 



Run-off. 



253 
82 
62 
55 
44 
59 
.55 



100 



50 

50 

.50 

74 

507 

179 

101 

128 

95 

75 

63 

61 



15,055 
5,042 
3,812 
3,273 
2,705 
3, .514 
3,382 



pe^a're I^<^P'hin 
per^square j„^,,,,_ 



2.22 
.72 
.54 
.48 
.39 
.52 
.48 



72. 623 



3,074 
2,777 
3,074 
4,403 
31, 174 
10, 6.51 
6, 210 
7,870 
5, 053 
4, 612 
3,749 
3,751 



86, 998 



.44 


.51 


.44 


.46 


.44 


.51 


.65 


.73 


4.45 


5.13 


1.57 


1.75 


.89 


1.03 


1.12 


1.29 


.83 


.93 


.66 


.76 


..55 


.61 


.54 


.62 



Estiiaated inonthhj discharr/e of Uinta River near Whiterocks, Utah. 
[Drainage area, 218 square miles.] 



Month. 



Mean dis- 
charge in 
second- 
feet. 



Total in 
acre-feet. 



Second-feetj) j^ J 



Run-off. 



1899. 

September 

October 

November 

December 

1900. 

January 

February 

March 

April 

May 

Juiie 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 

The year 

1901. 

January 

February 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 

The year 



165 

162 
130 
120 



9.818 
9,961 
7,736 

7. 379 



0.81 
.83 
.64 
.61 



112 


6,887 


..51 


.59 


112 


6,220 


.51 


.53 


125 


7, 686 


.57 


.66 


138 


8, 212 


.63 


.70 


6.50 


39, 967 


2.98 


3.44 


597 


35, 524 


2.74 


3.06 


223 


13, 712 


1.02 


1.18 


184 


11, 314 


.84 


.97 


1.57 


9,342 


.72 


.80 


1.54 


9,469 


.71 


.82 


138 


8,212 


.63 


.70 


145 


8,916 


.67 


.77 


228 


165, 461 


1.04 


14.22 




14. .53 



28 



UINTA INDTAN RESERVATION. 



Estitiiated montlihj diKcharge of Uinta River, at Fort Duchesne, Utah. 
[Drainage area, 672 square miles.] 





Discharge in second-feet. 


Total in 
acre-feet. 


Run-off. 


Month. 


Maxinmm. 


Minimum. 


Mean. 


Second- 
feet per 
square 
mile. 


Depth in 
inches. 


1899. 






78 
83 
111 
114 


4,641 
5,013 
6, 605 
7,010 


0.11 
.12 

.16 
.17 


0.12 


October 






. 14 








.18 








.20 










The year 
























1900. 






a 125 
''125 

123 
99 

924 

431 
67 
36 
62 
98 

105 
90 


7, fis6 
6,942 
7,563 
5, 891 
56, 814 
25, 646 
4, 120 
2,214 
3,689 
6, 026 
6,248 
5,534 


.19 
.19 
.18 
.15 
1.38 
.64 
.10 
.05 
.09 
.15 
.16 
.13 


.22 








.20 




193 

128 
2,343 
1,270 

140 
62 

125 

lie 

140 
140 


85 
85 
95 
140 
25 
20 
25 
70 
90 
55 


.21 


April.. 


.17 


Mav , 


1..59 




.71 


Julv 


.12 


August 


.06 


Scjitember , 


.10 


October 


.17 




.18 


December 


.15 






The year 






190 


138, 373 


.28 


3. S8 










1901. 




. 


«135 

»135 

132 

117 

1,188 

261 

140 

168 

121 

116 

117 

»130 


8,301 

7,498 

8, 116 

6, 962 

73,047 

15, 531 

8,608 

10,330 

7,200 

7,133 

6,962 

7,993 


.20 
.20 
.20 
.17 
1.77 
.39 
.21 
.25 
.18 
.17 
.17 
.19 


.23 


February 






.21 




295 

168 
3,470 
485 
201 
485 
184 
168 
137 


77 
87 
218 
184 
97 
87 
97 
97 
109 


.23 


April 


.19 


May 


2 04 


June 


.44 


Julv 


.24 


August 


29 


September 


.20 


October 


20 


November 


.19 


December 


.22 










The vear 






230 


167, 681 


..34 


4.68 











ii Approximate. 

Estimated monthly discliarge of Uinta River, at Ouray School, Utah. 
[Drainage area, 967 square miles.] 





Dischar 


ge in second-feet. 


Total in 
acre-feet. 


Run 


-off. 


Month. 


Maximum. 


Minimum. 


Mean. 


Second- 
feet per 
square 
mile. 


Depth in 
inches. 


1899. 
November" 






124 
113 


7,378 
6,948 


0.13 
.12 


14 


December" 






14 










The year 












, 








1900. 
Januarv 






100 
100 

97 

88 

689 

451 

65 

32 

89 

122 

128 

91 


6,149 

5, 554 
5, 964 
5,236 
42, 365 
26, 836 
3,997 
1,968 
5, 296 
7, 501 
7,617 
5, 595 


.10 
.10 
.10 
.09 
.71 
.47 
.07 
.03 
.09 
.13 
.13 
.09 


1> 


Fel)ruarv" 






10 


March 


179 

232 

1,497 

1,123 

156 

40 

242 

156 

200 


56 
64 
92 

179 
28 
19 
37 

113 
64 


.12 
.10 
.82 
.52 
.08 
.03 
.10 
.15 
.15 


April 


Mav 


June 


Julv 


August 


September 


October 


November 


December" 










The year 






171 


124, 078 


.IS 


o 39 












'Approximate. 



UINTA INDIAN KESERVATION. 



29 



Estimated monthly discharge of Uinta River, at Ouray School, Utah — Continued. 



Month. 



Discharge in secohd-feet. 



Maximum 



January 

February . 

March 

April 

May 

June , 

uly 

August 

September . 

October 

November . 
December. . 



1901. 



151 
3,065 

598 
192 
953 
192 
181 
142 



The year. 



Minimum. 



92 

92 

215 

181 

58 

52 

100 

108 

116 



Mean. 



»r20 

"120 

116 

116 

1,137 

309 

114 

164 

121 

123 

126 

»115 



Total in 
acre-feet. 



7,379 

6, 664 

7,133 

6, 902 

69, 911 

18, 387 

7,010 

10, 084 

7,200 

7,563 

7,498 

7,071 



223 



162, 802 



Second- 
feet per 
square 
mile. 



0.12 
.12 
.12 
.12 

1.18 
.32 
.12 
.17 
.13 
.13 
.13 
.12 



Depth in 
inches. 



0.14 
.12 
.14 
.13 

1.36 
.36 
.14 
.20 
.15 
.15 
.15 
.U 



.23 



3.18 



» Approximate. 

Estimated mnnthhj discharge of Duchesne Biver at Price Bridge, Utah. 
[Drainage area, 2,746 square miles.] 





Discharge in secon 


i-feet. 


Total in 
acre-feet. 


Run-off. 


Month. 


Maximum. 


Minimum. 


Mean. 


Second- 
feet per 
square 
mile. 


Depth in 
inches. 


1899. 
OctoVjer 






403 
398 
347 


24. 799 
23, 683 
21, 336 


0.15 
.14 
.13 


17 


November 






16 








15 










1900. 
Januarv » 






340 

340 

394 

467 

2,327 

1,702 

377 

271 

296 

313 

305 

a 342 


20, 906 
18,883 
24, 226 
27, 788 
143, 082 
101,276 
23, 181 
16,663 
17,613 
19, 246 
18, 149 
21,029 


.12 
.12 
.14 
.17 
.85 
.62 
.14 
.10 
.11 
.11 
.11 
.12 


14 


Februarv » 






1'^ 


March 


700 
860 
5,880 
4,440 
570 
3.50 
450 
330 
330 


315 
350 
630 
600 
275 
235 
245 
300 
288 


16 


April 


19 


Mav 


98 


June 


69 


Julv 


16 


August 


12 


September 


1'' 


October 


13 


November 


l'> 


December 


14 










The vear 






623 


452, 042 


.23 


3 07 










1901. 
Januarv" 






280 

280 

289 

498 

3,169 

1,485 

597 

453 

307 

322 

316 

b300 


17, 217 
15, 5.50 
17, 770 
29, 633 
194, 8.54 
88,364 
36, 708 
27, 8.54 
18, 268 
19, 799 
18, 803 
18, 446 


.10 
.10 
.11 
.18 
1.15 
.54 
.22 
.16 
.11 
.12 
.12 
.11 


1'' 


February i> 






10 


March 




278 
247 
1,193 
870 
408 
313 
262 
278 
278 


.13 


April 


1,193 
6,675 
2,862 
870 
910 
408 
439 
355 


■^0 


Mav 


1.33 


June 


60 


Julv 


25 


August 


IS 


September 


r' 


October 


.14 


November 


13 




.13 










The vear 






091 


503, 266 


.25 


3 43 











' Approximate. 



30 



FINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 



KMiinatfd niontlili/ dhrlutrge of Luke (Jreek near montJi, T'lali. 
[Drainage area, 475 square miles.] 



Month. 



1900. 

■Inly » 

August " 

September » 

October » 

November ° 

December » 

1901. 

January 

February 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 

The year 



Mean dis- 
charge in 
.second- 
feet. 



Total in 
acre-feet. 



195 
97 
112 
117 
115 
124 



11,990 

5, 904 
6,604 
7,194 

6, 843 
7, 024 



a 95 

a 95 

'100 
'132 
,272 
'556 
•250 
'255 

a44 

'132 
'112 
'110 



5,841 
5, 276 
6,149 
7, .S.55 
78, 212 
33,084 
15, 372 
15, 679 
8, 569 
8,116 
6,664 
6,704 



197, 581 



Run-off. 



Second-feet 

per square 

mile. 



Depth in 
inches. 



0.41 
.20 
.24 
.25 
.24 
.26 



0.47 
.23 
.27 
.29 
.27 
.30 



.20 
.20 
.21 

.28 
2.68 
1.17 
.53 
.54 
.30 
.28 
.24 
.23 



.57 



.23 
.21 
.24 
.31 
3.09 
1.31 
.61 
.62 
.33 
.32 
.27 
.27 



7.81 



» Approximate. 

The following table show.s the average discharge b}" months of the 
reservation streams for 1900 and 1901. during the irrigation period, 
from April to September, inclusive. For Whiterocksand Uinta rivers 
the records are for the canyon stations. For Lake Creek the station 
is near the mouth. The Duchesne River station is below the mouth 
of Lake Creek, so that the discharge of the latter stream, since the 
establishment of the station in July, 1900, has been deducted from the 
record of the former station. Discharge of Lake Creek for April, 
May, and June, 1900, is taken at -10 per cent of discharge of Duchesne 
River. 

The run-otf for 190(> was considerably less than for the following 
3"ear: in fact, it is considered that the former season was an exception- 
ally dry one, and this opinion is borne out in two wa^^s: First, b}" the 
testimony of the residents of the vicinity, who state that the streams 
were lower in 1900 than had ever been known before; and second, by 
the study of adjacent drainage basins. 

Provo Basin adjoins Duchesne River Basin to the westward, and the 
topograph}^ of these basins is similar. The measurements on Provo 
River date back for several years, and this record shows that both 1900 
and 1901 were exceptionally dry. In fact, the run-off for these years 
was less than for any previous year during the length of record, 
except in 1898, when it fell slightly below the 1900 record. 



UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 



31 



Average monthly discharge of rivers during Irrigation period. 
[In tiecond-feet.] 



Month. 






1900. 










1901. 






White- 
rocks 
River. 


Uinta 
River. 


Lake 
Creek. 


Du- 
chesne 
River. » 


Total. 


White- 
rocks 
River. 


Uinta 
River. 


Lake 
Creek. 


Du- 
chen.se 
River. " 


Total. 


April 

May 

June 

Jiilv 


44 
400 
2.53 

82 
(52 
55 


138 
650 
597 
223 
184 
157 


"190 
"930 
"680 

195 
97 

112 


277 
1,397 
1,022 
182 
174 
1S4 


649 
3,377 
2, 552 
682 
617 
508 


74 
507 
179 
101 
12S 

95 


179 
684 
355 
251 
242 
193 


132 
1,272 
.556 
250 
255 
144 


366 
1,897 
929 
347 
198 
163 


751 
4,360 
2,019 

949 


August 

September 

Mean — 


823 
595 


149 


325 


367 


589 


1,380 181 


317 


435 


6.50 


1,583 


Total acre-feet. 


54,087 


117,975 133,221 


195, 657 


500,940 65,703 


115,071 


157, 905 


235, 950 


574, 629 



» Discharge of Lake Creek deducted from recorded discharge of Duchesne River. 
" Forty per cent of discharge of Duchesne River. 

On August 5 and 6, 1901, a series of measurements were made by 
C. T. Prall to determine losses in Uinta River between canyon sta- 
tions and Fort Duchesne, a distance of about '25 miles. Tlie results 
are as follows: 

Second-feet. 

Uinta River in canyon 229 

Farm Creek 1 

Whiterocks River in canyon 128 

Deep Creek 5 

Combined flow of Uinta River and tributaries 363 

Diversions from Uinta River: 

Canal No. 1 32 

Bench ditch 40 

Three small ditches northwest of Whiterocks 7 

79 

Diversions from Whiterocks River: 

Three small ditches, west side 5 

Agency ditch - 10 

Three small ditches, east side 8 

Sundry ditches, east side 5 

28 

Fort Duchesne ditch J> 

Uinta River diversions "9 

Total - 112 

Uinta River at Fort Duchesne 100 

212 

Combined flow ''^*^3 

Diversions and flow at Fort Duchesne 212 



Loss. 



151 



32 



UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 



The loss shown is practically 42 per cent of the amount found in the 
canyons. The conditions on both days were so nearl}- alike that the 
results were practicall}^ what would be obtained from simultaneous 
gauging's. Three previous series of measurements — two in November, 
1899, and one in March. 1900, showed the same percentage of loss with 
a much larger flow in the streams. For this reason it is l)elieved that 
40 per cent is ver}- nearly the correct amount. 

MISCKLLANEOUS DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS ON THE RESERVATION. 

A number of measurements have also been made on two of the 
ditches of the reservation from time to time, as is shown in the follow- 
ing table, the gauge rods being attached to the head gates in each case: 

Discharge measurements of Uinta Rirer canals. 





Date. 


Canal No. 1. 


Bench ditch. 




Gauge 
height. » 


Dis- 
charge. 


Gauge 
height." 


• Dis- 
charge. 


October 14 


1899. 


F^ct. 


ISec.-feet. 
16 
2 


Feet. 


Sec.-feef. 
49 
26 

8 
7 
6 
S 
39 




6. 60 


0.50 


Jannarv 6 


1900. 


January 12 















January 26 








1.10 


31 


1.10 


July 26 . 




16 
9 

7 
32 




Octobi^r 10 


.80 
.72 


.70 1 22 


April 16 


1901. 


.80 1 13 


August 6 




40 









« Gauge heights unreliable owing to proximity of head gates. 

July 26, 1900, a series of discharge measurements were made on 
Canal No. 1, in order to find what the loss would be by evaporation 
and percolation. In the first 5 miles of its course the canal passes 
through a very rocky soil, partially cemented, and measurements along 
this course would show approximately what the conditions would be in 
other parts of the reservation if canals were built there under the same 
conditions. The measurements show a slight gain between the head 
and first mile})ost, but considering the limit of error it is thought 
that in this distance there is neither gain nor loss. Between the first 
and second mileposts the loss is 2.3 second-feet; between the second 
and third mileposts the loss is 0.7 second-foot; between the third mile- 
post and the head of the main lateral, at about 4f miles, down which 
all the water in the canal was flowing, two small ditches diverted 2.7 
second-feet. This would show a slight gain of 0.8 of a second-foot, 
which is considered doubtful, however, and prol^ably is due to lack of 
refinement in the measurement. 

The next measurement shows on the main lateral a distance of If 
miles, and. after a fall of 180 feet, a loss of 1.7 second-feet, or practi- 
cally 1 second-foot to the mile. Between this latter point, or where 
the farm road crosses the lateral and the 9-mile post, or after it has 
made its descent over the blufi', there is neither gain nor loss. It is 
considered that the average loss over rock}" bench lands, in canals of 
considerable fall, is about 1 second-foot per mile. 



UINTA INDIAN EESEEVATION. 

Measurements of canal No. 1, July 26, 1900. 



33 



Locality. 



Near head gate 

Ditch 26 feet below canal station 

1-mile post 

2-inile post 

3-iaile post 

2 small ditches near Indian farm 

Main lateral one-fourth mile below head 

Main lateral at bridge, Government farm road. 

2 small ditches below bridge 

9-mile post 



Total. 



In canal. 



Sec. feet. 
16.3 



13.4 

12.7 



10.8 
9.1 



6.6 



Diver- 
sion. 



Sec. feet. 
b'.i 



2.5 
5.9 



Farm Creek is a drainage entering the Uinta River between that 
stream and the Whiterocks River. Its collecting area is only 47 square 
miles at its canyon, and the water is all used on the lands in its basin 
cultivated by the Indians. On Ma}'^ 14, 1901, the discharge measured 
at the road crossing near its mouth was 34 second-feet. This was 
during its flood stage. The average June flow does not exceed 15 
second-feet. Late in the summer and during the fall the discharge is 
only 2 second-feet. 

Lake Creek is formed by the junction of an east and a west fork 
about 25 miles above its mouth. During 1900 the following measure- 
ments were made of these forks and of the main stream a short distance 
below the junction: 

Miscellaneous discharge measurements of Lake Creek and its tributaries. 



Date. 


Stream. 


Locality. 


Gauge 
height. 


Dis- 
charge. 


1900. 


West Fork 


Above mouth 


Feet. 
1.40 
2.10 
2.67 
1.22 
1.94 
2.49 


Sec-feet. 
93 


Do 


East Fork 


do 


112 


Do 




One-half mile below junction of forks . 


290 




West Fork 


69 


Do 

Do 


East Fork 


do 


87 


Lake Creek 


One-half mile below J unction of forks . 


192 







Duchesne River was measured twice during the year 1900 by C. T. 
Prall at the ford immediately above the mouth of Strawberry Creek, 
or about 23 miles above the main station, with the following results: 



Gauge 
height. 



September 15. 
Octobers 




Discharge. 



Second-feet 
216 
232 



Mr. Prall also made two measurements during the same 3^ear of the 
flow of Strawberry Creek a short distance from its mouth and one- 
fourth of a mile below the mouth of Indian Creek, with the following 
results: 



Date. 



September 15. 
Octobers 



Gauge 
height. 



Feet.. 



1.20 



Discharge. 



Second -f (it. 

84 
92 



H. Doc. 671- 



34 UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 

LAND ALLOTMENT AND DUTY OF WATER. 

It will he somewhat difficult to obtain the quantity of land that the 
Uinta and Whitorock Indians will require if, some time in the future, 
land be allotted to them in severalty and the remainder of the reserva- 
tion thrown open to settlement. Estimates can be made, however, 
based upon the statistics of the allotment on the Uncompahgre Reser- 
vation authorized l)y act of Congress of June 9, 1897. There were 
45,440 acres allotted to 550 Indians, or about SO acres to each person. 
One-half of this was irrigable land, the balance was land suitable for 
grazing purposes. (See page 20.) 

This, then, gives 40 acres of irrigable land to each man, woman, and 
child on the reservation. This quantity will be used in the following- 
discussion, as it conforms to the practice in the allotment of Indian 
lands. One-eighth of that quantity, or 5 acres, would be more equitable. 

The last census showed a total population of 830 Uinta and Whiterock 
Indians. On the above basis of 40 acres to the individual. 33,200 
acres of irrigable lands will ultimately be required by these Indians. 
The 550 Uncompahgres require 22,000 acres, making a total of 55,200 
acres of irrigable land. 

The irrigation period in this section of the country is considered as 
extending from the 1st of April to the 1st of October — 6 months, or 
183 da3's. The maximum discharge of the rivers occurs in the early 
part of this period, gradually decreasing later, or through July and 
August. The principal crops raised are forage plants and the cereals. 
Water will be needed for the former throughout the entire irrigation 
period, but the watering of grains ceases about August 1, and after 
that date a less quantity will be required. 

Estimates on the water supply will be based on the July flow of the 
rivers, when they are comparatively low, but when as much water is 
needed for irrigation as at an}' other time. The duty of water will be 
taken at 1 second-foot to 100 acres. This duty is for a minimum 
year, such as 1900, but which will not probably occur oftener than 
once in five or six years or longer. During ordinary seasons the sum- 
mer supply will be greater, so that a proportionall}'^ lower duty, or 1 
second-foot to 70 acres, can be used. 

Data have recently become available from the Twelfth Census 
regarding the duty of water in the Vernal Valley, a neighboring area 
that has been quite extensively irrigated. The water supply' is from 
Ashley Creek. The measurements of this Bureau show that 48,355 
acre-feet of water was used in 1900 to irrigate in that census year 
17,471 acres of land. This is an average depth of 2.8 feet over each 
acre. The mean flow thi-oughout the irrigation season was 133 second- 
feet, or the duty of water expressed in these terms was 1 second-foot 
to 131 acres. It is then considered that the above-assumed duty, 1 
second-foot to 100 acres, is sufficiently liberal. 

In the discussions of the water supply and the sections of agricul- 
tural lands dependent thereon, it has been found as a result of the 
investigation that a number of hydrographic divisions should be estab- 
lished, corresponding with the dift'erent river basins. Each river has 
a certain flow, and there is further a certain amount of agricultural 
land within its basin that should naturally be served from the tribu- 
tary stream. In every case the amount of land in each basin is greater 
than the river of that section can serve. There are three such hydro- 



UTNTA ITq^DIAN RESERVATION. ' 35 

tj^niphic basins, as follows: Uinta River area, including Whiterocks 
Kiver section, Lake Creek area, and Duchesne River area. 

UINTA RIVER AGRICULTURAL AREA. 

The section of country that can be easily irrigated from Uinta 
River, both on and oft' the reservation, is shown on map 1. Within 
this area there is settled at the present time a large proportion of the 
Indians of the reservation, and there is to be found the greatest area 
of land at present under cultivation, lying principally in two tracts — 
namely, the bench land between Fort Duchesne and the Indian Agencj^ 
at Whiterocks, and the area west of the Ouray school. 

The principal canals on the reservation are found here, and include 
Canal No. 1, Bench ditch, the small ditches of the White River Indians, 
Dry Gulch ditch, and the small ditch from Uinta River 1 mile below 
the militar}^ post. 

The best land for irrigation in the Uinta area is the NE. ^ of T. 1 
S. , R. 1 W. , and the bench country west of the Uinta River. A further 
area of good land is to be found east of the streams in what is known 
as " Deep Creek" country, A total area could be found in this latter 
section of 16,000 acres, but of the better quality of land there is only 
7,000 acres. The fourth section is located west of the Ouray School, 
between the Uinta and Duchesne rivers, and comprises an area of 
5,200 acres. This land should be served from Duchesne River, how- 
ever, and consideration will be given to it in the description of that 
basin. 

A considerable percentage of Uinta River lands are of inferior 
quality and not nearly as suitable for cultivation as in other sections on 
the reservation. This is especially true of that portion of T. IN., 
R. 1 W., which is located west of the Uinta River. The map shows 
it to be a fairh^ flat country, and one would judge from inspection 
that it would be adapted to cultivation. It is, however, of a very 
rocky nature, and is largel}" covered with a growth of cedar common 
to rocky soils. 

The bottom lands of the Uinta River are of a similar rocky nature 
and little adapted to irrigation. It appeals, however, to the Indians 
for settlement, as it is crossed in varying directions by difi'erent 
branches of the Uinta River, the banks of which are lined with a dense 
growth of brush and cottonwood. There is thus formed detached open 
areas protected by excellent wind guards. 

Nearly the entire area of T. 2 S., R, 1 W,, is also of an inferior 
quality of soil, it being of an alkali nature. It is easily eroded by 
running streams, and even small irrigation ditches do not stand for 
any length of time. 

Regarding the percentage of this land that can be irrigated, it has 
been previously stated that the July ftow of the rivers would be con- 
sidered as the' controlling tigure. Uinta River, during July, 1900, 
discharged 223 second-feet. With a duty of water of 1 second-foot to 
100 acres there could be served 22,300 acres. Whiterocks River, for 
the same month, with a discharge of 82 second-feet, would serve 8,200 
acres. 

The best method for the irrigation of these various tracts is by the 
enlargement of the present canal system. An increase in the carry- 
ing capacity of Canal No. 1 would fit it to supply sufficient water to 



36 ■ UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 

the mes.1 west of Uinta River. It should also be extended, commenc- 
ing- at about the fourth milepost, and carried westward around the 
head of the gulch, down which at present it is turned. This exten- 
sion would supply water for the entire mesa, 1,930 acres, extending 
southward immediately west of the Government farm valley. 

Bench ditch could also be enlarged. The Deep Creek country, if 
Whiterocks River is allowed to be diverted from the reservation, 
could also be supplied from Uinta River. 

The following table shows the amount of arable land tributary to 
Uinta and Whiterocks rivers: 

Acreage of irrigable land. 

On reservation: Acres. 

River bottom 8,900 

Mesa west of Uinta River, northeast half T. 1 S. , R. 1 W 21 , 400 

Bench country 7, 100 

Miscellaneous areas north of military post 9, 600 

Deep Creek locality 16,300 

Total 63,300 

Off reservation: 

The Strip 6,600 

Green River area 21,200 

Total 27,800 

IRRIGABLE LANDS OUTSIDE OF THE RESERVATION. 

There is an area covering 6,600 acres just east of the reservation, 
in The Strip, which it is possible to irrigate. East of Ouray School 
IS a large tract of agricultural land bounded on the west b}^ the reser- 
vation boundary line and on the east by Green River. It is in the 
form of a rude triangle, and comprises approximately 21,200 acres. 
It would seem from a casual inspection of the ground that this tract 
of land might be irrigated by a canal diverting water from Uinta 
River below Fort Duchesne and bringing it around to the south of the 
bluffs overlooking Oura}^ School. This would be impracticable, how- 
ever, as shown by the little ditch of the Indians that skirts the foot 
of this cliff but can not attain the divide and reach Green River. 
This tract of land could be irrigated, though, by diverting water 
above the mouth of Deep Creek, bringing it aci'oss The Strip and over 
the divide immediately south of the Vernal road. As soon as this 
divide is reached the country slopes rapidly southward and drains 
into a wash. The 5.100-foot contour crosses the Vernal road divide a 
short distance east of the gilsonite claim. A canal at that grade and 
point could easily be continued and turned into the wash, the water 
being again diverted a short distance below. The 4,900-foot contour 
controls all of the agricultural land east of the Ouray School. 

The main features for a canal to irrigate this land would be as follows: 
It should head on Uinta River at such an elevation as to cross the little 
divide in sec. 35, T. 1 S., R. 1 E. It will therefore be considered 
as heading at the 5,180-foot contour. Within a mile and a half it 
would cross Deep Creek, continue eastward for a short distance and 
then southward. It would control most of The Strip country, and could 
be brought across the Vernal divide at the 5,100-foot contour at a 
distance of 11 miles from its head. The fall would be greater in its 




^ t 



UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 37 

3-mile course down the dry wash. The water could be diverted again 
at about the 4,900-foot contour. The general direction of the main 
canal would thence be southeasterly for 8 miles, then practically due 
south, in which direction it would continue until Green River and the 
lower end of the triangular tract of land are reached. 

The following are the approximate distances along this canal fi-om 
the head: 

Miles. 

Deep Creek 1.5 

Reservation line 4. 

Vernal road divide 11.0 

4,900-foot contour in wash 14. 5 

At bend to the south 22. 

End of canal 29. 

It will thus be seen that a canal heading at about the 5,180-foot con- 
tour could furnish water for most of the agricultural land of The 
Strip, cross the divide near the lower extremity of the gilsonite claim, 
and irrigate lands to the south. There would be no difficult engineer- 
ing features to encounter along the route. The excavations for the 
greater portion of the way would be through cemented gravel common 
to the entire country. This formation is difficult, and hence expen- 
sive to work, and the cost would be somewhere in the vicinity of the 
price paid for rock cutting, or about $1 per cubic yard. 

The amount of irrigable land otf the reservation is approximately 
as follows: 

Acres. 

The Strip 6,600 

Green River triangle 21 , 200 

Total 27,800 

On the basis of 1 second-foot of water to 100 acres, 278 second-feet 
would be required. 

LAKE CREEK AGRICULTURAL AREA. 

Lake Creek is an important tributary of Duchesne River, draining a 
section of country immediately adjoining the Uinta Basin on the west. 
It discharges into Duchesne River at a point about 3 miles above the 
bridge on the stage road to Price. There has been more or less dis- 
cussion regarding the feasibility of the diversion of Lake Creek to 
irrigate lands adjoining the Uinta River, especially those under Canal 
No. 1, and it was thought desirable to investigate the possibilities of 
this stream for irrigation. 

Lake Creek agricultural area, as mapped, can be naturalh' divided 
into four portions. The first comprises a strip of 18,000 acres of bench 
land extending from the junction of the two forks southward for about 
14 miles, when it broadens out to the second division (the strip drain- 
ing into Dry Gulch Creek), of 12,600 acres. The third area is the mesa 
between this latter division and the Duchesne River, containing 5,300 
acres. The fourth section, comprising an area of 16,100 acres, is 
situated west of the lower course of Lake Creek, in an approximately 
triangular strip immediately north of Duchesne River. 

The average flow of this stream in July, 1900, was 195 second-feet, 
or sufficient water for 19,500 acres. Measurements made during the 
next month, at the junction of the two main forks about 25 miles above 
the mouth, show a condition similar to that existing on the Uinta 



38 UINTA INDIAN EESERVATiON. 

River — that is, a considerable loss after the river leaves its canyon. 
In the case of Lake Creek this loss was over 50 per cent in A ugust, as 
the average flow at the forks in August, 1900, was about 200 second- 
feet, while at the mouth it was 97 second-feet. If the loss was pro- 
portional during July there would have been water at the forks 
suflicient for 39,000 acres. It is probabl}^ safe to assume that there will 
be suflicient water in Lake Creek at the junction of the two forks for 
30,000 acres during dr}^ seasons. 

If water for 10,000 acres be set aside in the fourth section above 
described, or that west of Lake Creek, the quantity required will be 
100 second-feet at the usual duty. 

There will then remain to be provided water for 20,000 acres for the 
land east of the creek, or a discharge of 200 second-feet. 

Lake Creek flows in a gorge about 200 feet deep, and the most 
feasible point for its diversion to the east side is about one-fourth of a 
mile below the junction of the North and South forks. Here the clifl's 
on the east side are in a succession of terraces, and a canal taken out 
at the above-mentioned point can, in a distance of 1.5* miles, bring 
water to the top of the mesa. 

A map was made on a scale of 200 feet to the inch, and with a con- 
tour interval of 5 feet, extending from the junction of the two forks 
down 2i miles and including the top of the highest terraces. The 
construction of this map makes possible the location of the canal line, 
and it is on a scale sufiiciently large to permit of a computation of the 
amount of excavation, from which an estimate of the cost of this por- 
tion of the canal can be made. 

A canal on a grade of 0.0005, or 2.64 feet per mile, with a bottom 
width of 12 feet, side slopes 1 to 1, and depth 4 feet, will have a cross- 
section area of 64 square feet. Assuming the coefiicient of roughness, 
or value of w, in Kutter's formula, as 0.020, would give a discharge of 
200 second-feet. 

The length of the canal from the head gate until it reaches the top 
of the mesa is 1.5 miles. It will be necessary to move, in the construc- 
tion of the canal in this length, 27,040 cubic 3^ards of earth, which will 
cost, at 25 cents per cubic yard, |6,760. 

After the canal has reached the top of the upper terrace, construction 
would be in a flat country, and the cost per mile would approximate 
11,500. 

The mesa has a very steep slope, but has a subsoil of the same for- 
mation as that along which Canal No. 1 flows — a partially cemented 
gravel. It is considered that a canal can be built directly down the 
mesa, and that the amount of erosion will be very small. 

The main canal heading below the forks of the creek, after it has 
attained the top of the mesa, could be divided, one branch extending 
southward to serve the lands of the upper section. The other branch 
would continue in a general easterly direction for about 4 miles, when 
it could be turned into the gulch shown on the map in sec. 6, T. IS., 
R. 3 W. This wash has its outlet in sec. 21, T. 2 S., R. 3 W., and the 
water could here be diverted and used to irrigate the second division, 
known as the Dry Gulch country. 

It is not considered feasible to irrigate the third section, the mesa 
north of the Duchesne River, owing to the insufiicient water supply 
and the excessive cost to construct a canal to same. Water could be 
taken to it by carrying a lateral from the mouth of the gulch above 



UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 39 

mentioned southeaster!}" across the fiat country for about 4 miles, 
when a sidehill would be encountered, along which the canal would 
run for a distance of about 3 miles before the top of the mesa could 
be reached. 
The following are the areas of the three sections east of Lake Creek: 



Sfciion. 


Acres. 


North section 


18 000 


Drv Gulch ci)untrv 


12,ti00 
5,300 


Mesa north of Duchesne River 








Total 


35,900 



The fourth section of agricultural land tributary to Lake Creek, 
which could be irrigated from it, comprises an extent of 10,100 acres, 
and is located on the west side of Lake Creek and north of Duchesne 
River, in T. 3 S., R. 3 W. Of the better quality of land there is 
10,000 acres. As previously shown, this area will require 100 second- 
feet. A canal to carry this amount on a grade of 3.7 feet to the mile, 
bottom width 8 feet, side slopes 1 to 1, and depth 3 feet, would have 
a cross-section area of 33 square feet. Assuming the coefficient of 
roughness, or value of n^ in Kutter's formula as 0.020, the necessary 
discharge would be 100 second-feet. 

Lake Creek continues in its gorge from the junction of the two forks 
down to a point about 13 miles below, where occurs the narrowest 
point, in sec. 20, T. 2 S., R. 3 W. Beyond this point the valley broadens 
out rapidly to the agricultural area on the west side of the creek. The 
width at the narrowing of the gorge is about 800 feet, with vertical 
cliffs on either side approximating 200 feet in elevation. This site 
has been mentioned as a possible location for a dam and the creation 
of a reservoir. This project is not feasible, however, as the gorge 
does not broaden out sufficiently above the narrows, and as the fall of 
the creek is about 80 feet to the mile a dam 160 feet high would only 
back the water in this case 2 miles up the river. 

A canal to cover the land west of Lake Creek would head 2.5 miles 
below the above-described narrows, in sec. 3, T. 3 S. , R. 3 W. It 
would continue in a general southerl}" direction and would cover all of 
the agricultural land of this section. At no place would the cost of 
excavation be excessive, as the canal would pass through the formation 
common to this section, a more or less cemented gravel, and through 
a relatively flat countr3\ 

If a canal were diverted from Lake Creek near the forks, and carried 
westward to the Uinta country, it would have to pass through a very 
rough section, besides crossing two deep gulches, including that of Dry 
Gulch, and would cost an excessive sum. On account of this prohibitive 
expense, and also oAving to the extent of agricultural land immediately 
tributary to Lake Creek for which there is not sufficient water supply, 
it is not considered best that an attempt be made to carry a canal from 
this stream to the Uinta area. 

DUCHESNE RIVER AGRICULTURAL AREA. 

Duchesne River, from it junction with Strawberry Creek, has a gen- 
eral easterly course, flowing through bottom lands averaging li miles 



40 UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 

in width. Immediately southward a line of bluffs occur, of about 200 
feet in elevation, from the top of which extends a series of mesas 
southward. 

This higher land west of Antelope Canyon is quite thoroughly dis- 
sected b}^ side canyons draining toward Duchesne River, and is not 
suitable for agricultural purposes. East of Antelope Canyon, how- 
ever, these mesas are but little cut up, and as a result there is a large 
tract of land which is eminently suited to irrigation if water could be 
brought to it. 

This area is naturally divided into two sections. The first extends 
eastward from Antelope Canyon to approximately Smith's well road, 
and has an area of 21,800 acres, 8,000 acres of which are bench coun- 
try, the remaining 13,800 acres being included within the Six-mile 
Draw, a name arising from the fact that the drainage line of this 
draw is 6 miles south of the Duchesne bridge, along the Price stage 
road. 

Continuing eastward, a rough, broken country, 5 to 7 miles wide, 
and about 22 square miles in area, separates the first division of 
Duchesne agricultural lands from the second division. This latter is 
the bench in the southeastern corner of the reservation immediatelj^ 
west of the lower Duchesne River after it has made the bend from its 
general easterly to its southeasterly course. The area is 21,900 acres. 

The third area susceptible of irrigation, for which water should be 
supplied, is the bottom land of Duchesne River, extending from the 
mouth of Antelope Canyon downstream, and embracing an extent of 
14,300 acres. Of this area, the section from the mouth of Lake Creek 
eastward, 6,800 acres, has already been allotted to the Uncompahgre 
Indians. The balance westward, to Antelope Canyon, 7,600 acres is 
available for future allotment. Some Uinta Indians are at present 
irrigating lands in the latter section, receiving their water from the 
ditch heading li miles above Antelope Canyon. 

The fourth section of agricultural land which should receive water 
from Duchesne River is the section west of the Ouray School, between 
Uinta and Duchesne rivers. A portion of it is occupied by Indian 
farms, and irrigated from a ditch heading on the left bank of Duchesne 
River about 8 miles above the school. It comprises an area of 5,200 
acres. The following table shows the amount of agricultural lands 
tributary to Duchesne River: 

Duchesne agricultural lands. 

Upper section: Acres. 

Mesa 8,000 

Six-mile draw 13, 800 

Lower bench: 

Irrigable under 4,968-foot contour 7,000 

Nonirrigable 14, 900 

Bottom lands: 

Upper 7,500 

Lower 6, 800 

Ouray School section 5, 200 

Total 63,200 

DUCHESNE CANAL LINES. 

During 1900 a number of lines for canal locations for the upper 
Duchesne area were run. The topographic work showed that the 
elevation of 5,600 feet should be attained on the mesa to reclaim the 



UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 41 

greater portion of it. An eleviition somewhat above this altitude on 
Duchesne Kiver is at a point about 6 miles above the mouth of Straw- 
berr}^ Creek, and from here a line for a canal location was started 
with the idea of taking water from the right bank. The line ran for 
a distance of 20 miles, when it crossed Straw])errv Creek to the south 
side, and thence eastward another 20 miles before the agricultural ai-ea 
could be reached. On account of its length, and also because of the 
excessive cost of construction, the line was considered impracticable 
and was abandoned. A second line was therefore started, the initial 
point being a short distance below the mouth of Strawberry Creek on 
the right bank of Duchesne River. 

The canal would follow the river rather closely for a distance of 8 
miles up to a point about 3 miles west of the Indian village near the 
mouth of Antelope Canyon. About opposite this settlement the line 
would recede perhaps li miles from the river. It shortly reaches 
Antelope Canyon, up which the line may run for a distance of about 2 
miles, thence crossing and turning down again and keeping around in 
front of the hills, with the exception of a few cut-offs, until the top of 
the mesa is reached at an elevation of 5,340 feet. This point is about 
6 miles southeast of the Duchesne bridge and some 4 or 5 miles east 
of Antelope Canyon. The following report on the Duchesne upper 
canal lines is made bj^ Mr. A. L. Fellows: 

UPPER CANAL LINES. 

The location of the initial point of the survey for the first canal line 
was on the right bank of Duchesne River, about 6 miles above the 
mouth of Strawberry Creek. From station to station 49, a distance 
of nearh" 1 mile, practically no difficulty was met, excepting that one 
flume, about 400 feet in length, across a deep wash would be neces- 
sary. At station 50 the line strikes a steep sidehill, with a slope of 
about one in three, which is overlain with gravel and bowlders, but a 
line is practicable, although quite expensive along this entire hillside, 
w hich extends to station No. 195, a distance of nearly 3 miles. From 
the top of the bench at station 195 to a point at station 225, about three- 
fifths of a mile, the line is across level country, and could be made 
perfectly straight. From this point (station 225), by crossing a ridge 
with a maximum cut of 17 feet, at station 238, the cut ending at sta- 
tion 240, a distance of about three-fourths of a mile might be saved, 
besides some very expensive sidehill work. 

Both lines were surveyed, but the one including the cut would be 
much the better. From this point (station 240), the line runs along a 
very steep sidehill, having a slope as high as 40 degrees from the hor- 
izontal in places, where at times deep cuts, at times sidehill flumes, 
and at times even tunnels would be necessar}', with practically no easy 
work until station 390 is reached. At this point two courses are open. 
First, to continue along the sidehill slope, which is of about the same 
nature as that traversed for a mile or more; or to flume for about 
1,000 feet to a point upon the opposite side of a deep wash flowing 
into Strawberry Creek. As between 3 and 4 miles of canal would be 
necessary if the circuit were made to reach a point opposite station 
390, and'^only 1,00.0 feet from it, it is clear that the best plan would 
be to cross by means of a flume, although this flume would probably 
be not less than 80 feet in height at the bottom of the draw. 

Another course seemed possible at this point. The line up to the 



4:2 UINTA INDIAN RP:SERVATION. 

present time had been extremely crooked, and at this point — station 
8*J0 — the line was almost directi}' toward station 0, and a reconnois- 
sance indicated that probably a tunnel from the starting point to the 
point at the head of the ravine, which is here crossed, would not be 
over three-fourths of a mile in length, and perhaps considerably less, 
saving approximately 8 miles of bad canal work and 20 feet in grade. 
For reasons to be given later, however, this line was not surveyed. 
Crossing this wash, therefore, at this point, and striking grade again 
at about station 400, the line proceeds by a fairly easy route to station 
425, a distance of about one-half mile, with no serious difficulties, but 
still by no means an ideal line. At this point the sandstone bluffs 
along the north side of Stawberry Creek are reached, the first one being 
aljout 50 feet in height, along the face of which the line would run to 
station 460, approximately another three-fourths of a mile of very bad 
sidehill work, much of which would have to be fluming. 

From station 460 to station 481, the line traverses a country- in which 
it would be fairly easy to construct a canal, but at station 481 the main 
bluffs along the north side of Strawberry Creek are reached, and from 
this point the line would run for practically all of the way, excepting 
for about one-half mile, for some 10 or 12 miles farther along sand- 
stone bluffs which could only be flumed before the Strawberry Creek 
could be crossed. At station 805, however, it was decided that the line 
was absolutely impracticable, as the expense would be too great to justify 
any construction at this elevation. It was evident, moreover, that 
while it would take approximately 20 miles of this line, running through 
an extremely bad country to reach Strawberry Creek, it would further- 
more take as great a distance along equally impracticable, and perhaps 
even worse ground than that traversed in the first 20 miles before the 
line would come out on anything like open country. 

In all these 40 miles of line, which would cost probably not less 
than $10,000 per mile, there would have been not more than 1,000 
acres of irrigable land lying below the canal, excepting such lands as 
can be watered by small ditches taken directly from Duchesne River 
and Strawberry Creek. The fall due to the grade would, moreover, 
have lowered the line to so great an extent that it would have been 
impossible for it to have reached as high an elevation upon the mesa 
lands below as was desired. A number of careful reconnoissance trips 
demonstrated bej^ond question that it was impracticable for a line to 
be taken out at a higher elevation than that attempted, as the bluffs 
along the Duchesne and Strawberry get steeper and more rocky the 
higher upstream one goes. 

Having determined that a line at so high an elevation as was at first 
deemed desirable was impracticable from the nature of the country, it 
was decided to investigate the possibility of taking a line out at the 
most suitable point below the mouth of the Strawberry Creek to see 
what elevation could be reached upon the mesa below. A trial line 
was first run for several miles along the bluffs on the south side of 
Duchesne Creek, to determine the feasibility of the upper part of the 
proposed canal which should avoid the bluffs near the mouth of Indian 
Canj^on, which empties into the Strawberry just above its junction 
with the Duchesne. The jr.ct having been determined that this line 
presented some desirable features, viz, that it wonld cover a consid- 
erable portion of the nearly level country south of the Duchesne, and 
nothing of an absolutel}^ impracticu;,le nature being seen in the way, 
the survey of the grade line was conunenced, the same fall being used 





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UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 43 

as in the first survey, viz, 2.56 feet per mile. The zero point of this 
survey was at an elevation of 5,434.81 feet, referred to the datum of the 
topographic survey. The grade assumed was 2.56 feet per mile. 

From station to station 35, about three-fourths of a mile, the 
country is favorable for a perfect line, but at this latter point a side- 
hill is reached, which, while not impracticable, still presents material 
difficulties of construction. From station 35 to station 103 the line 
runs along this sidehill, which presents, however, no very serious 
difficulties. There is more or less sidehill work of this same kind 
until station 175 is reached, after which no difficulties are met for 
about 2 miles, excepting short flumes. After this point is reached, 
however, the line strikes a deep hillside again in which there is but 
little if anj^ rock and it runs along nothing but hillside and through 
cuts, with an occasional short stretch of level country, for about 30 
miles, when the top of the mesa is finally reached at station 1855. 
This line was continued to station 1895, at which point the elevation 
is about 5,340 feet. The survey can be considered but little more 
than a trial line. 

It could be very much improved by starting at a point some 20 
feet higher on the Duchesne River, crossing the Strawberry Creek on 
grade, and running with a fall not to exceed 2 feet to the mile, or a 
little less would be better, saving all the distance possible by construct- 
ing flumes across all ravines encountered wherever it might be practica- 
ble, even at the expense of flumes 100 feet high and from 1,000 to 
1,600 feet in length. By keeping the grade up as high as possible, a 
cut could be made through three different ridges, where a saving of 
probably 10 miles in distance could be effected. By these means it is 
believed that an elevation of approximately 5,380 feet could be reached. 

Although the higher canal line would require more expensive canal 
construction near the head, the difference would be more than com- 
pensated by the advantages gained farther down. 

Just below the mouth of Strawberry Creek there is a very narrow 
neck of land between two bends in the main river; in case the canal 
should be constructed heading below Strawberry Creek, there would 
be danger of the river cutting across this neck, making an extension 
of the canal line necessary to the mouth of the Strawberry, at least. 

In case the canal should be constructed 20 feet higher up, as sug- 
gested, the water would be taken during the greater portion of the 
year directly from Strawberry Creek, and only a small canal from 
the Duchesne would be needed, to be used in low water. This line 
would cost in the neighborhood of $300,000, and about 21,800 acres 
could be irrigated from the canal, although the land covered is not of 
the best quality, being well down toward points of the mesa and lying 
to a great extent in the sandy draw, through which the road between 
Price and Fort Duchesne runs. 

A third preliminary survey for a canal location was made in Octo- 
ber. The head would be located on the left bank of the river a short 
distance below the mouth of Strawberry Creek, and about one-half 
mile below the head of Canal No. 2, described above. It could be 
made to irrigate about 2,000 acres of land on the north side of 
Duchesne River. 

Mr. Fellows also made a reconnoissance from the Duchesne River 
above the mouth of the Strawberry to a point some distance above 
the mouth of Rock Creek, with a view of ascertaining whether or not 
it would be possible to cover a large tract of land lying upon the 



44 



UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 



mesa north of the Duchesne. The conclusion was reached, however, 
after a careful examination, that such a line would not be feasible, as 
a)>out 10 miles of canal would have to be constructed along a very 
rocky hillside. Such a canal would reach the level of the mesa at so 
low an elevation as to permit of little irrigation, and this project was 
therefore abandoned. 

It was suggested that this high land might possibly be covered by 
means of a ditch taken out of Rock Creek, which is an important trib- 
utary of the Duchesne, carrying a considerable body of water even at 
low stages, but time was not sufficient for the investigation of this 
proposition. From all further information obtainable, however, it is 
thought at the present time that this plan is not feasible, as the country 
is more rocky and broken the higher up it is explored. 



LOAVER CANAL LINE. 



Upon the completion of the surv^ey of the Lower Duchesne benches 
in 1901, attention was given to the location of a canal to those bench 
lands. The topographic map disclosed a low divide of about 5,000 feet 
elevation, in sec. 11, T. 4 S., R. 1 W., over which the canal could not 
be carried. The map also showed that a canal controlled by this divide, 
allowance being made for sufficient grade, should head li miles above 
Duchesne bridge, at an elevation of 5,021 feet. When it has attained 
the lower mesa it is at an elevation of 4,968 feet, and therefore only the 
land under this contour, or 7,000 acres, can be irrigated from it. 

With a duty of water of 1 second-foot to 100 acres a capacity of 
canal of 70 second-feet will be required. With a grade of four hun- 
dredths of 1 per cent, or a fall of 2.11 feet per mile, bottom width of 
8 feet, depth of 3 feet, and side slopes of 1 to 1, the area will be 33 
square feet. A coefficient of roughness of about 0.020 will give the 
necessary discharge of 70 second-feet. 

The initial point of the survey was on the right bank of Duchesne 
River, in sec. 23, T. 3 S., R. 2 W. The line extends in a general 
southeasterly direction across the Duchesne bottom land for a distance 
of 3.4 miles, when it encounters a steep sidehill, along which it con- 
tinues for 3.8 miles. At this point, in sec. 34, T. 3 S., R. 1 W., a 
tunnel is planned 1,400 feet in length, piercing the ridge. The line 
then takes a general southwesterly direction for 2.7 miles through a 
comparatively flat country, when it crosses what is known as the 
Smith's well road, in sec. 10, T. 4 S., R. 1 W. This point is 9.7 miles 
from the head. Beyond the road the canal soon strikes a rough, rocky 
country, in which construction work will be expensive, and will require 
a number of lengths of flumes, as follows: 



Flume number. 


No. of sta- 
tion where 
flume be- 
gins. 


Total 
length. 


1 


745 

821 

823 

836 

867 

876 

877 

1024 

103.5 

1059 


Feet. 
1,600 


2 


139 


3 


145 


4 


1,281 


5 


200 


6 


80 


7 ; 


44 


8 


387 


9 


320 


10 


1,100 




Total length 










5,29S 













UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 45 

The canal finally appears on th^ mesa at about station 1100, or 21 
miles from the head. The line ends at station 1245. The elevation 
at this point is 4,968 feet, so that only the land under this contour, or 
about 7,000 acres, can be irrigated. The approximate cost of build- 
ing the 23.6 miles of canal to the head of the irrigable land will be 
^105,000. 

RESUME OF DUCHESNE IRRIGABLE LANDS. 

In considering the amount of water available for irrigation from 
Duchesne River, it is necessary to deduct the discharge of Lake Creek 
from the record at the Price bridge on Duchesne River, as plans for 
the utilization of the flow of the former stream have already been 
made. Duchesne River was discharging 377 second-feet in July, 19u0; 
deducting 195 second-feet, the flow of Lake Creek, leaves a balance 
of 182 second-feet for Duchesne River, or sufficient water for 18,200 
acres. In Jul}^ 1901, the net discharge of Duchesne River, after 
deducting the flow of Lake Creek, was 347 second-feet, or sufficient 
water for 31:, 700 acres. 

On September 15 and October 5, 1900, measurements were made on 
Duchesne River immediately above the mouth of Strawberrj^ Creek, 
and also on this latter stream on the same dates. The combined dis- 
charge, representing the flow of Duchesne River below the mouth of 
Strawberry Creek, was 300 second-feet and 324 second-feet on the 
respective dates. 

At the main gauging station on Duchesne River the discharge on the 
same dates was 275 and 315 second-feet, respectivel3^ By deducting 
from these two latter figures the discharge of Lake Creek, a balance of 
155 second-feet and 185 second-feet, respectively, will remain. There- 
fore, on September 15, 1900, Duchesne River below the mouth of 
Strawberry Creek was carrying 300 second-feet, while 23 miles below, 
at the main gauging station, the discharge was only 155 second-feet. 
Similarly, on October 5 the discharge above was 324 second-feet, and 
below 185 second-feet. The loss is in the neighborhood of 50 per cent. 
This is a phenomenon similar to that noted on Uinta River and Lake 
Creek; that is, a loss of about 50 per cent after each stream has flowed 
for some distance through bottom lands. 

It has been shown that there was in July, 1900, sufficient water in 
Duchesne River for 18,200 acres. As some of the canals have been 
planned to take water from the upper stretches of the river, it is 
believed that the water supply is sufficient for 20,000 acres, exclusive 
of Lake Creek. The table on page 46 shows that 63,200 acres of irri- 
gable land are tributary to Duchesne River. As the water supply in 
1900 was sufficient for only 20,000 acres, it therefore becomes neces- 
sary to make a selection of land to be irrigated. 

To serve the 21,800 acres of the upper section, the canal would head 
immediately below the mouth of Strawberry Creek and would be 36 
miles long before the irrigable lands could be reached. The cost 
would be §300,000, according to the report of Mr. Fellows. This 
would make the cost of reclamation $13.70 an acre. The entire water 
supply of the Duchesne River is sufficient for only 20,000 acres, and 
the cost, if the water should be applied to the upper section, would be 
$15 an acre, not including the distributary canal system. 

In the second section of the lower bench only a portion of the 
21,900 acres are irrigable, unless recourse is made to pumping. It 



46 UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 

was shown in the description of the lower Duchesne canal line that 
owing to a controlling- divide the canal had to be taken from the river 
at an elevation of 5,021 feet. When it has attained the lower mesa, it 
is at an deviation of 4,968 feet, and therefore only the land under this 
contour, or 7,000 acres, can be irrigated. The cost of construction 
of this canal will approximate $105,000, or $15 per acre. The remain- 
ing 14,900 acres on this bench might be irrigated by a pumping plant, 
but at a considerable expense. 

The bottom land of the river, both above and below Lake Creek, 
comprising an area of 14,300 acres can be reclaimed, as also can the 
5,200 acres in the vicinity of the Ouray School. The canals for these 
areas will be in the flat, sandy country of the bottom lands, and will 
be relatively cheap to build, with no difficult engineering problems. 
The fall of the country is greater, however, than a canal can have 
without erosion, so that occasional drops will have to be provided. 

SUMMARY OF LAND CLASSIFICATION AND WATER SUPPLY OF RESERVATION. 

The following table shows the amount of agricultural land of the 
reservation tributar}- to the various streams, and which should natu- 
rally be irrigated from them: 

Table of arable lands. 
Uinta River area: 

On reservation — Acres. 

A. Riverbottom 8,900 

B. Mesa west of Uinta River 21, 400 

C. Bench country 7, 100 

D. North of military post 9, 600 

E. Deep Creek basin 16, 300 

63,300 

Off reservation: 

F. Strip 6,600 

G. Green River area 21,200 

27,800 

Lake Creek area: 

H. North section 18,000 

I. Dry Gulch basin 12,600 

J. Mesa north of Duchesne River 5, 300 

K. West of creek 16,100 

Duchesne River area: 
Upper section — 

L. Mesa 8,000 

M. Six-mile draw 13,800 

Lower bench — 

N. Nonirrigable 14,900 

O. Irrigable under 4,968-foot contour 7,000 

Bottom lands — 

P. Upper 7,500 

Q. Lower 6,800 

R. Ouray school section 5, 200 

63, 000 

Grand total of arable land tributary to the three rivers 206, 300 

The following table shows the water suppl}' in .July for 1900 and 
1901 for Whiterocks and Uinta rivers at the canj'on stations, and for 
Lake Creek and Duchesne River, together with the amount of land 
that could be irrigated during that month from each river, with a 
duty of water of 1 second-foot to 100 acres: 



CANAL SYSTEM OF VERNAL VaLLKY uT' 



VH. 




H Doc All-- 57 1 



UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 



47 



Juhj water supply. 





Jul.v,19U0. J July, 1901. 


Stream. 


Dis- 
charge. 


Area which 
could be 
irrigated. 


tn:,- Area which 


Whiteroeks 


Sec-feet. 
82 
223 
195 
182 


Acres. 
8,200 
22,300 
19, .500 
18, 200 


Sec-feet. 
101 
251 
250 

.^47 


Acres. 
10.100 
2\ 100 






Duchesne , 


34 700 








Total 


682 




94,900 









I There was in Jul}', 1900, safEcient water from the four rivers for 
68,200 acres. (See table above.) Lake Creek furnished water for 

' 19,500 acres. It has been shown, however, that there is a considera- 
ble loss in the channel of this stream, and it is believed that there 
is sufficient water for 30,000 acres, or 10,500 acres more than in 
the above table. Similarly for Duchesne River, it is believed that 
there will be water for 20,000 acres during a drj^ season, or sufficient 
for 1,800 acres more than shown. This will make the total water sup- 
ply from the four rivers sufficient for 80,500 acres. During- ordinaiy 

I seasons the supply will be sufficient for 115,000 acres. 

I It was found that the 1,380 Indians on the reservation will require 
55,200 acres of irrigable land. There was, therefore, a water supply 
for 25,300 acres above the requirements of the Indians. From all 

I reports, the 1900 flow of the streams was unusually low, and the aver- 
age summer discharge will be above the figures of that year. 

If the area which could be irrigated from Whiterocks River (8,200 
acres) be deducted from the 80,500 acres, there will remain 72.300 
acres, giving a surplus of 17,100 acres above the future needs of the 

I Indians. 

In the Indian Office bill for the fiscal j^ear ending June 30, 1903, 
there is a provision for allotting the lands of this reservation to the 
Indians, and throwing the balance open to settlement. The following 
is the clause of this bill relative to the amount of land which each 
Indian will receive: 

— shall cause to be allotted to each head of family 80 acres of agricultural land which 
can be irrigated; and 40 acres of such land to each other member of said tril>e, «iid 
allotment to be made prior to October 1, 1903. 

There are 830 Uinta and Whiterocks Indians on the reservation. On 
the basis of four individuals to the family, this will give 207 heads of 
families, with 623 remaining individuals. The 207 Indians, at 80 acres 
per head, will require 16,560 acres; the remaining 623 Indians, at 40 
acres, will require 24,920 acres — or a total of 41,480 acres of irrigable 
land. It has been shown that the Uncompahgre Indians on the res- 
ervation have already been allotted 22,000 acres. This makes a grand 
total of 63,480 acres for which a water supply is necessary. 

Several ways are open regarding the future settlement of these 
Indians on irrigable lands. The results of the investigations show 
that there is a greater body of agricultural land, with a sufficient water 
supply, than the future needs of the Indians will require. 

The Department has its choice of location, and it also has its choice 
of whether the Indians shall be settled on large tracts or on detached 
areas, the whites being allowed to take up intermediate sections, so 
that the Indians and whites would be intermingled. Both policies 
have been advocated in the discussion of the Indian question, but it 



I 



48 UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 

seems to the writer that the former method — that of having the Indians 
occupy large tracts of land by themselves — is preferable. 

If the Department should pursue the policy that water should only 
be used on lands that are tributarj' to the rivers, and if the irrigable 
areas off the reservation should have been included within the reser- 
vation, it would follow, on account of the location of the latter, that 
the}^ should receive some of the Uinta or Whiterocks water, as they 
are naturally tributary to it. In fact, this area off the reservation is 
much better for agricultural purposes than some of the Uinta area 
within the reservation. 

The Department has under consideration the advisability of allow- 
ing certain amounts of water to be diverted from Whiterocks or Uinta 
rivers to irrigate lands off the reservation. If the water is thus allowed 
to be diverted, or if the surplus agricultural lands beyond the needs of 
the Indians are some time placed upon the market, the rights of the 
Indians should be protected as fully as possible. It was recommended 
in the first progress report* that if a ditch was allowed to take water 
from Uinta River off of the reservation it should be located well down- 
stream, and it was there recommended that no diversion be allowed 
north of sections 26 and 27, T. 1 S., R. 1 E. A canal taken out within 
these limits could control all of the arable land off* the reservation. 

Further consideration of this matter, however, inclines one to the 
belief that if the Indian canals did head above other diversions, com- 
plications might still arise; and it is believed if the flow of some stream 
could be entirely disposed of- — that is, sold outright — for the benefit of 
the Indians, it would be much better for them than to have a joint con- 
trol with the white settlers. 

Whiterocks River is such a stream, and we have alread}^ seen that, 
not including its discharge, there will still oe sufficient water on the 
reservation, or, for 72,300 acres; or, water for 17,100 acres more than 
the Indians will eventually require. 

It therefore seems that the exclusive right to Whiterocks water 
might be sold, and that it would be right and just for the Department 
to sell it. There is only a small area of suitable land on the reserva- 
tion that is naturalh'^ tributar}^ to this stream — the 7,000 acres in Deep 
Creek country — and even this section could be served from the Uinta 
River. If the Department holds the view that the Indians are entitled 
only to that water which the}^ can economically use, this Whiterocks 
water could be practically given away. If it is held, however, that 
the Indians own the water of their reservation a v^alue could be placed 
upon it, and it could be offered for sale. 

The question next arises, What is the value of an irrigation stream? 
A fair estimate of the value of agricultural lands is considered at $25 
an acre. With a duty of water of 1 second-foot to 100 acres, this 
would mean that 1 second- foot of water was worth $2,500, The value 
of the stream depends upon its low-water discharge. In the case of 
Whiterocks River the records show that the minimum Juh^ discharge 
is 82 second-feet. This amount of water, at the rate of $2,500 a second- 
foot, is worth $205,000. From this latter amount there should be 
deducted the cost of the canal system to bring the water to the land. 

VERNAL VALLEY. 

Ashley Creek. — This stream drains an area in northeastern Utah 
directly east of the Uinta River drainage. It flows southeasterly, 

» Twenty-first Annual Report, Fart IV, p. 328. 



UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 49 

enterina: Green River about 25 miles below the place where the lat- 
ter stream crosses the State line between Colorado and Utah. About 
7i miles above the town of Vernal the creek leaves its mountainous 
area and enters what is known as Vernal Valley. This valley is 
approximately '20 miles long- and 3 miles wide, its boundaries being 
sharply defined by the foothills. A large portion of the valley has 
been taken up b}' white settlers, and a considerable acreage is"^ now 
under cultivation through irrigation. There are three principal canals 
in use. 

Upper Ashley Canal on the west, built in 18S2, covers 11,200 acres. 
The stock of the company is divided into 1,120 shares, at a face value 
of ^25 per share, and each share is supposed to irrigate 10 acres. 
During the census year 1900 the area irrigated under this canal was 
6,500 acres. 

Central Ashley Canal, on the west side, built in 1880, covers 8,400 
acres, 7,000 acres of which were irrigated in 1900. Each share is sup- 
posed to carry water sufficient for 20 acres, and is worth $50, or |2.50 
per acre. 

Rock Point Canal, on the east side, built in 1880, covers some 2,000 
acres, 1,400 acres of which were irrigated in 1900. The stock of the 
company is divided into 250 shares, at a face value of ^10 per share, 
and each share is supposed to carry water sufficient for 7i acres. 

There are also a number of smaller canals lower down, the principal 
one being known as Island ditch. This ditch controls 900 acres, 400 
acres x)i which were irrigated in tlie census year 1900. 

The stock in the various canal companies is private property. A 
farmer, if entitled to a certain amount of water, is not supposed to rent 
or otherwise dispose of an}^ portion of it, but it is often the case that 
he does. 

By a decree of the district court dated NDvember 17, 1897, the 
waters of Ashley Creek are divided as follows: Upper Irrigation Canal 
Company (Upper Ashlej^ canal), |f of one-third of discharge; Ash- 
ley Central Irrigation Canal Company, |4 of one-third of discharge; 
Rock Point and other canals (Union, Turner and Dodds, Island, Stein- 
aker, and Colton), ^f of one-third of discharge, and Green River 
interveners the remainder. In accordance with this bill the water 
commissioner ordered all canal companies to install weirs so con- 
structed as to bring the water to a quiet state 60 feet above the weirs. 
A weir 30 feet wide was placed in the river above the head of all 
canals, and weirs of the following dimensions were ordered to be placed 
in the canals, the sum of the width of the weirs being approximately 
the width of the river weir: 

Weirs on Ashley Creek canals. 



Upper Ashley Canal 

Central Ashley Canal, including Green River interveners (5.75 inches) and deducting 

Colton Canal (3.70 inches) 

Union Canal 

Turner & Dodds ditch 

Island ditch 

Steinaker ditch 

Rock Point Canal 

Colton ditch (decree of court 16-12252, deed from Central Ashley Canal 397) 



Feet. 



Inches. 



10.4 

.47 
7.11 
11.. 52 
17.41 
3. 52 
8.79 
12. 21 



H. Doc. 671- 



50 



UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 



The two Ashloy canals and the Rock Point Canal are the only ones 
luintaininti- weirs. They are of the rectangular tj'pe, so constructed 
hat each has two end contractions. No attempt is made to measure 
the quantity of water. When the creek is at its lowest stages and it 
becomes necessary to divide the water among the canals, the How into 
them is so regulated that exactU' the same height of water is allowed 
to pass over each weir, the regulation stake, which is level with the 
crest of the weir, being placed a short distance above. As the lengths 
of the weirs correspond with the court decrees, the amount of water 
is supposed to be in the required proportion. On account of the end 
contractions of the weirs of the two Ashley canals and the Rock Point 
Canal those ditches do not receive the same proportion of water for 
varying heights, as the reduction of length for end, contractions is a 
function of the height of the water. 

During the flood stages of the creek more water passes down it than 
the canals can carr}^ and therefore no attempt is then made to divide the 
water. It is only when lower stages of the creek are reached that the 
water is divided. No head gates are maintained in the canals, the flow 
being regulated by placing or removing rocks in the rough dam^an 
unsatisfactory method, of course. 

PI. XIV shows the drop in the Central Ashley Canal near Vernal, 
and B, the weir in the same canal. 

The principal canals of the valle}' were measured twice during 1900, 
once in May, when the creek was in flood and a considerable amount of 
water was passing all canals and wasting into the stream below. The 
measurements, therefore, show approximately the maximum capacity 
of the various ditches. A second series of measurements was made in 
August, when the creek was at a low stage and after the water had 
been divided. The following table contains the results of the measure- 
ments made: 

Discharge measurements in J'ernal Valley, Utah. 



Date. 



1900- 

May 28 

Mav29 

"Do 

Do 

Do 

August 21.. 

Do 

Do 

Do 



Locality. 



Ashley Creek Gaging station 

Upper Ashley Canal Measuring weir 

Central Ashley Canal do 

Rock Point Canal ' Near head 

Steinaker Canal do 

Ashley Creek Gaging station 

Upper Ashley Canal Measuring weir 

Central Ashley Canal ' do 

Rock Point Canal | Near measuring weir. 



Discharge. 



Second-feel. 
776 
181 
138 
25 
1.5 
40 
12 
10 
6.8 



The population of Vernal Valley is 6,000. There are 38,000 acres 
of land on the valley tax rolls, only 25,000 acres of which are under 
ditch, according to the Twelfth Census. The following data are given 
on the same authority: 

The amount of land irrigated in 1900 was 17,471 acres. The average 
cost of a water right in the valley is |3 per acre, and the annual cost 
for maintenance is 15 cents per acre. An acre of land without water 
is valued at $1.25, but as soon as it is placed under ditch and provided 
with a good water supply the value increases to $30. The length of the 
irrigation season is six months, from April 1 to October 1. 

The records of the flow of Ashlej' Creek at the gaging station in the 
canj^on for the season of 1900 showed a total discharge of 56,225 acre- 



UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION 51 

feet. The combined maximum capacity of the canals of the valley is 
350 second-feet. May was the only month in 1900 in which there was 
more water than the canals would carry, as the average discharge for 
that month was 478 second-feet, or an excess of. 128 second-feet. The 
latter amount represents an excess of 7.870 acre-feet. Bv subtracting 
this amount from the total discharge of the river for the period we 
get 48,355 acre-feet, the amount of water which approximately Avas 
spread over the area irrigated— 18.471 acres— during 1900. This is an 
average depth of 2.8 feet over each acre. 

The discharge of 48.355 acre-feet for the six months represents a 
mean flow of 133 second-feet, or, expressed in other terms, the duty of 
water was 1 second-foot to 131 acres. 

Autumn is the season of low-water stages for the streams in this 
vicinity. The principal crops of the valley are alfalfa and oats. In 
the lower portion of the valley seepage water is now appearing in the 
river channels and is being used for irrigation purposes, thus increas- 
ing the duty of water in that section. 

There is a voluntary observer of the Weather Bureau at Vernal, who. 
has kept a continuous record for live years, the mean annual precip- 
itation for that period being 9.38 inches. The precipitation in 1899 
was 8.41 inches and the mean temperature 46^. There is no well- 
defined rainy season, but the principal rainfalls occur in June or July. 
The snowfall is generally light, the air usually dry, and strong winds 
are infrequent. The soil is a sandy loam. The mineral resources are 
said to be excellent in the surrounding mountains, deposits of gold, 
silver, and copper being worked to some extent. Coal is also found 
near by, and some deposits of uintaite of the asphaltum series. Trans- 
portation facilities are poor; the railroad is reached at Price, 140 
miles away, by way of Fort Duchesne. 

East of Ashley Creek are two peculiar streams of the "disappearing " 
type, known as Little Brush Creek and Big Brush Creek. The main 
Brush Creek enters Green River 3 miles above the mouth of Ashley 
Creek. The peculiarity of these two forks is that their waters dis- 
appear and then reappear at various points along their course. At 
one place Big Brush Creek enters a long, precipitous tunnel, which 
has been onl}^ partly explored, and in which icicles and banks of ice 
are said to exist the year round. 

As a result of a number of reports upon certain curious conditions 
said to exist in the basin of Dr}^ Fork, a tributary of Ashle}'- Creek, a 
reconnoissance of the basin was made in August, 1901, hy Mr. C. T. 
Prall, and from his report the following facts are taken. 

Dr}^ Fork has its source in a lake in the Uinta Mountains about 35 
miles northwest of Vernal. Its length is about 28 miles, 23 miles of 
which is in a canyon varying from 600 feet to one-half mile in width, 
and 5 miles is through a valley li miles wide. Its general direction 
is southeast and its fall is heavy — at least 150 feet per mile. It enters 
Ashley Creek about 8 miles above the town of Vernal. About mid- 
way of the stream's length, or 10 miles northwest of Dry Fork post- 
office, a gauging was maHe on August 20, 1901, which gave a discharge 
of 96 second-feet. Some 1.200 feet below this point occurs a pool, or 
sink, l\'ing in a circular basin whose banks, except on the upstream 
side, are from 75 to 100 feet high. The stream enters this pool through 
several inlets. It is apparently bottomless, and the water in the hirger 
end has a slow, circular motion, but whether this is caused by the 



52 UINTA INDIAN RESERVATION 

incoming streams or by suction from below could not be determined. 
The only visible outlet from the pool is a narrow, rocky channel, which 
has been widened by blasting- in an effort to increase its flow. It 
was carrying about 10 second-feet, but this water sunk within a mile 
or therealwuts. 

Three miles below the pool the North Branch comes in. One mile 
al)ove its mouth 8 second-feet were flowing, but the water vanished 
almost immediately upon reaching the main channel. Seven miles 
below the pool are located several springs, the upper and largest one 
being a hole 25 feet in diameter. This pool was perfectly dry, but 
the lower ones were sending out 33 second-feet. A resident in Dry 
Fork settlement since 1879 stated that only once before, to his knowl- 
edge, had these springs furnished water after the subsidence of the 
usual spring freshet. It was also stated that owing to recent rains 
the stream above the pool was higher than usual. Two miles below 
the springs, at the canyon's mouth, two ditches are located, but they 
had carried no water for several weeks. The stream bed was dr^' 
from the heads of the ditches to its mouth, 5 miles farther. About 
250 feet above the mouth of Dry Fork a gauging of Ashley Creek 
showed 132 second-feet. At another point 400 feet below the mouth 
the discharge was 128 second-feet. A closer check than this would 
probably be impossible in view of the rather rough character of the 
creek's bed. One mile below Drj^ Fork, at the regular gauging station, 
a discharge of 154 second-feet was found. The increase shown here 
is due to a ditch diverting water from the east side of Ashle}^ Creek, a 
short distance above the mouth of Dr}- Fork, and returning the water 
to the creek again above the gauging station. Two small ditches, car- 
rying a total of 3 second-feet, are taken out of Ashley Creek between 
Dry Fork and the gauging station. 

The Dry Fork Valley comprises about 1,000 acres of arable land, all 
of which is under cultivation. Good crops are raised through the use 
of spring flood waters, but much better results could be obtained by a 
more certain supply. However, a very small portion of the stream 
would suffice, leaving a large amount which could be used to excellent 
advantage in Ashley Valley. The visible supply in the two branches 
of Dry Fork on August 21 was 104 second-feet, of which amount 33 
feet found its way into the ditches. A flume 7 miles in length would 
carry the water below all known sinks, where it could be turned back 
into the stream, and be subject to only the usual losses from seep- 
age, etc. 

Even if 30 per cent were lost in transmission, a stream capable of 
much good would still be available. A V-shaped flume was partly 
constructed some years ago, starting above the pool. It has fallen 
into disuse, however, but it is understood that plans are being made 
to rebuild it. 

A gauging station, described in AVater Supply Paper No. 50, page 
368, was established in the canyon of Ashley Creek on March 15, 1900, 
by C. T. Prall, 7i miles above the town of Vernal, and a short distance 
above the head of the upper canal. The gauge is a vertical rod, painted 
white, fastened to the west side of the single pier of the wagon bridge. 
The bench mark is a twent3'-penny nail driven in the pier opposite the 
4-foot mark. Results of measurements for 1900 and 1901 are given in 
the followino- table: 



UIlSrTA INDIAN RESERVATION. 



53 



Estimated monthly discharge of Ashley Creek, near Vernal, Utah. 
[Drainage area, 250 square miles.] 



Month. 



Discharge in second-feet. 



Maximum.! Minimum. 



January.. 

February 

:M«rch 15 to 31 

April 

May 

Juiie 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 



1900. 



The vear. 



January 

February .. 
JIarcli .". ... 

April 

May 

June 

July , 

August 

September . 

October 

November . 
December.. 



The vear . 



49 
859 
534 
102 
49 
64 
55 
49 
40 



859 



36 

39 

43 

384 

1,119 

444 

141 

476 

131 

72 

63 

55 



1,119 



37 
37 
43 
112 
55 
40 
37 
43 
40 
37 



36 
36 
34 
34 
354 
141 
72 
72 
72 
55 



Mean. 



Total in 
acre-feet. 



•35 

«35 

37 

40 

478 

245 

74 

45 

43 

44 

42 

38 



96 



36 

36 

37 

122 

683 

232 

100 

149 

96 

62 

58 

52 



2.1.52 
1,944 
2, 275 
2, 380 
29, 391 
14.. 578 
4, .5.50 
2, 767 
2, ,5.59 
2. 705 
2, 499 
2. 337 



70, 137 



Run-off. 



Seeond- 

feet per 

square 

mile. 



2, 214 
1.999 
2. 275 
7,260 
41,996 
13, 805 
6,149 
9.162 
5, 712 
3,812 
3, 451 
3,197 



101,032 



0.14 
.14 
.15 
.16 

1.91 
.98 
.30 
.18 
.17 
.18 
.17 
.15 



Depth in 
inches. 



.39 



.14 
.14 
.15 
.49 
2.73 
.93 
.40 
.60 
.38 
.25 
.23 
.21 



.00 



0.16 
.15 
.17 
.18 
2.20 
1.09 
.35 
.21 
.19 
.21 
.19 
.17 



.16 
.15 
.17 
. 55 
3.15 
1.04 
.46 
.69 
.42 
.29 
.26 
.24 



7. .58 



•Approximate. 



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